Grinnell vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Grinnell vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Grinnell ($27,161 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 27.8% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,165 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $11,124 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Grinnell than at Lawrence University (about $11,124 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 15% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($49,077 vs. $42,688).

Grinnell vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 170 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Grinnell vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $14,180 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($136 vs. $282).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.