Grinnell vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Kansas City is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (14,732 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Missouri Kansas City is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Kansas City is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Missouri Kansas City 13:1.

Grinnell vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City than Grinnell ($14,748 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Kansas City are 8.3% lower than at Grinnell College ($15,452 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 441.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Kansas City (about $55,519 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $12,587.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.3% higher at Grinnell than at University of Missouri Kansas City (about $37,879 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $30,227.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College as at University of Missouri Kansas City (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 346.9% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students ($49,077 vs. $10,982).

Grinnell vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 University of Missouri-Kansas City and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 60 points higher than at University of Missouri-Kansas City (1420).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at University of Missouri-Kansas City).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54).
• University of Missouri-Kansas City has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Grinnell vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $7,830 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($13,170 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($136 vs. $217).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 55%)

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.