Grinnell vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Olin 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 Grinnell College than Olin College ($34,363 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 19.1% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($16,842 vs. $20,810).
• Grinnell College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $1,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Grinnell than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $1,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($49,077 vs. $43,290).

Grinnell vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 50 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Grinnell vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,540 lower median loan debt than Olin College graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,710).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Olin College graduates ($136 vs. $152).

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.