Grinnell vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Bates College in Lewiston, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Bates College is in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Bates College 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Bates? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bates College than Grinnell ($24,723 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 10.3% lower than at Bates College ($16,842 vs. $18,780).
• Grinnell College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $1,516 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Grinnell than at Bates College (about $1,516 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Bates College (94% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 19.8% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($58,809 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Bates Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Bates? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bates and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is the same as at Bates (1480).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Bates (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Bates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 36.5% at Bates.

Grinnell vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Bates? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,280 lower median loan debt than Bates graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,450).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bates graduates ($136 vs. $149).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.