Grinnell vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Grinnell vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College than Grinnell ($28,047 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 4.2% lower than at Carleton College ($16,842 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $786 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Carleton College than at Grinnell College (about $786 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Carleton College (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($56,846 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Grinnell vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Carleton College? 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($136 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.