Grinnell vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Grinnell vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than Grinnell ($17,209 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 17.7% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,856 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 295.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $50,892 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.5% higher at Grinnell than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $29,744 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (94% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 291% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($49,077 vs. $12,552).

Grinnell vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 80 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Minnesota - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Grinnell vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $7,015 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($13,170 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($136 vs. $208).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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.