Grinnell vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Grinnell vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Grinnell ($21,765 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 23.3% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,920 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 503.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $56,823 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at Grinnell than at University of Iowa (about $34,735 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Iowa (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 397.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($49,077 vs. $9,865).

Grinnell vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 250 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Grinnell vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Iowa? 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 University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $8,446 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($13,170 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($136 vs. $223).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 70%)

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.