Grinnell vs. Case Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Case Western? 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 Grinnell College than Case Western ($34,363 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 10.2% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($16,842 vs. $18,762).
• Grinnell College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Case Western (about $1,498 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Grinnell than at Case Western Reserve University (about $1,498 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Case Western Reserve University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($49,077 vs. $41,913).

Grinnell vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Case Western? 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 Case Western and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 10 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Case Western 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; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Case Western (3.86).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

Grinnell vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Case Western? 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $10,896 lower median loan debt than Case Western graduates ($13,170 vs. $24,066).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Case Western graduates ($136 vs. $248).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.