Grinnell vs. Skidmore College

Deciding between Grinnell College and Skidmore College? 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
Skidmore College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Skidmore College Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Skidmore College 2,704
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Skidmore College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Skidmore College #54
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Grinnell -
  • Skidmore College -
  • Status
  • Grinnell Non-profit
  • Skidmore College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Grinnell
  • Skidmore College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Room & Board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Skidmore College $17,940
  • Average Net Price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Skidmore College $31,187
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Skidmore College $54,083
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Skidmore College 53%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Skidmore College 11,889
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Skidmore College 2,503
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Skidmore College 21.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Skidmore College 26.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Skidmore College 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Skidmore College 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Skidmore College 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Skidmore College A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Skidmore College Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Skidmore College Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Grinnell 31/34
  • Skidmore College 31/33
  • SAT Range
  • Grinnell 1410/1540
  • Skidmore College 1340/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Skidmore College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Skidmore College 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Skidmore College
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
    • Business (10%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Skidmore College 84%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Skidmore College $54,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Skidmore College 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Skidmore College $19,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Skidmore College $201
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Grinnell 46%
  • Skidmore College 40%
  • % Women
  • Grinnell 54%
  • Skidmore College 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Grinnell High
  • Skidmore College Medium
  • HBCU
  • Grinnell No
  • Skidmore College No
  • % White
  • Grinnell 56%
  • Skidmore College 64%
  • % Asian
  • Grinnell 7%
  • Skidmore College 6%
  • % Black
  • Grinnell 6%
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Grinnell 7%
  • Skidmore College 8%
  • % Native American
  • Grinnell 0%
  • Skidmore College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Grinnell 0%
  • Skidmore College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Grinnell 5%
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • % International
  • Grinnell 16%
  • Skidmore College 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Grinnell 3%
  • Skidmore College 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Grinnell 8%
  • Skidmore College 32%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Grinnell 68%
  • Skidmore College 62%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Skidmore College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Skidmore College is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Skidmore College 8:1.

Grinnell vs. Skidmore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Skidmore 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 Skidmore College than Grinnell ($31,187 vs. $34,363).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 6.1% lower than at Skidmore College ($16,842 vs. $17,940).
  • Grinnell College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Skidmore College (about $816 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,290.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Grinnell than at Skidmore College (about $816 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,290.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Skidmore College (94% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($54,083 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Skidmore College Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 70 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
  • Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Skidmore College (32).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Skidmore College 1340/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Skidmore College 31/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Skidmore College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
  • Skidmore College has a higher acceptance rate (21.1%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

Grinnell vs. Skidmore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Skidmore 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).

  • Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Skidmore College's (84%).
  • Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Skidmore College graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Skidmore College graduates ($136 vs. $201).
  • More Skidmore College 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.