Grinnell vs. Hamline University

Deciding between Grinnell College and Hamline University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Grinnell College
Hamline University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Hamline University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Hamline University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Hamline University 2,565
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Hamline University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Hamline University #328
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Grinnell -
  • Hamline University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Grinnell Non-profit
  • Hamline University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Grinnell
  • Hamline University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Hamline University $50,004
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Hamline University $50,004
  • Room & Board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Hamline University $12,400
  • Average Net Price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Hamline University $22,390
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Hamline University $35,851
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Hamline University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Hamline University 3,475
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Hamline University 3,045
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Hamline University 87.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Hamline University 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Hamline University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Hamline University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Hamline University 3.48
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Hamline University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Hamline University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Hamline University
  • ACT Range
  • Grinnell 31/34
  • Hamline University 19/28
  • SAT Range
  • Grinnell 1410/1540
  • Hamline University 1133/1391
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Hamline University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Hamline University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Hamline University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Hamline University
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Hamline University 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Hamline University $55,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Hamline University 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Hamline University $24,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Hamline University $250
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Grinnell 46%
  • Hamline University 34%
  • % Women
  • Grinnell 54%
  • Hamline University 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Grinnell High
  • Hamline University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Grinnell No
  • Hamline University No
  • % White
  • Grinnell 56%
  • Hamline University 72%
  • % Asian
  • Grinnell 7%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % Black
  • Grinnell 6%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Grinnell 7%
  • Hamline University 7%
  • % Native American
  • Grinnell 0%
  • Hamline University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Grinnell 0%
  • Hamline University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Grinnell 5%
  • Hamline University 6%
  • % International
  • Grinnell 16%
  • Hamline University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Grinnell 3%
  • Hamline University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Grinnell 8%
  • Hamline University 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Grinnell 68%
  • Hamline University 17%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Grinnell Yes
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Grinnell Yes
  • Hamline University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Grinnell Yes
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Grinnell No
  • Hamline University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Grinnell No
  • Hamline University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hamline University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,565 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Hamline University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamline University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Hamline University 14:1.

Grinnell vs. Hamline University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Hamline University? 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 Hamline University than Grinnell ($22,390 vs. $34,363).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamline University are 26.4% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,400 vs. $16,842).
  • Grinnell College is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamline University (about $18,102 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $50,004.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Grinnell than at Hamline University (about $18,102 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $50,004.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamline University than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Hamline University students ($49,077 vs. $35,851).

Grinnell vs. Hamline University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 220 points higher than at Hamline University (1260).
  • Incoming Grinnell students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at Hamline University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Hamline University 1133/1391.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Hamline University 19/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Hamline University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Hamline University (3.48).
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (87.6%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 15.9% at Hamline University.

Grinnell vs. Hamline University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Hamline University? 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 Hamline University's (68%).
  • Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Hamline University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $11,080 lower median loan debt than Hamline University graduates ($13,170 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamline University graduates ($136 vs. $250).
  • More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 73%)

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.