Grinnell vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Davidson College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (1,869 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Grinnell vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Davidson? 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 Davidson College than Grinnell ($27,720 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 1.5% lower than at Davidson College ($16,842 vs. $17,100).
• Grinnell College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,696 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Grinnell than at Davidson College (about $3,696 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Davidson College (94% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($51,755 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 10 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Davidson (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Grinnell vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Davidson? 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $3,830 lower median loan debt than Davidson graduates ($13,170 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Davidson graduates ($136 vs. $175).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.