Grinnell vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Grinnell vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Grinnell ($26,233 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 12.5% lower than at Middlebury College ($16,842 vs. $19,250).
• Grinnell College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $506 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Grinnell than at Middlebury College (about $506 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Middlebury College (94% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($59,647 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middlebury College (1500) is 20 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Middlebury students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Grinnell vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Middlebury? 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).

• Middlebury College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Middlebury College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,400 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $2,719 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($13,170 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($136 vs. $164).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.