Grinnell vs. EMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than EMU based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. EMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or EMU? 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 Eastern Mennonite University than Grinnell ($25,021 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 21.8% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,170 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 55.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than EMU (about $24,186 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.1% higher at Grinnell than at Eastern Mennonite University (about $24,186 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than at Grinnell College (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 51.6% larger than aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students ($49,077 vs. $32,378).

Grinnell vs. EMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 160 points higher than at EMU (1320).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at EMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Eastern Mennonite University 1040/1590.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Eastern Mennonite University 25/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; EMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at EMU (3.7).
• EMU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 12.4% at EMU.

Grinnell vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and EMU? 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 Eastern Mennonite University's (66%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than EMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $10,280 lower median loan debt than EMU graduates ($13,170 vs. $23,450).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EMU graduates ($136 vs. $242).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EMU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.