Grinnell vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Grinnell vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Grinnell ($26,756 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,630 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,346 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Grinnell than at St Olaf College (about $8,346 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 8.8% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($49,077 vs. $45,098).

Grinnell vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 90 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Grinnell vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf 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.