Grinnell vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Grinnell vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($34,363 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 15.2% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,842 vs. $19,866).
• Grinnell College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $2,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Grinnell than at Lafayette College (about $2,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Lafayette College (94% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($49,077 vs. $44,707).

Grinnell vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 50 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Grinnell vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Lafayette 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).

• The graduation rate at Grinnell is the same as at Lafayette College (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($136 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.