Grinnell vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or U of R? 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 Grinnell College than U of R ($34,363 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 14.9% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,842 vs. $19,792).
• Grinnell College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $1,026 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Grinnell than at University of Rochester (about $1,026 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Rochester (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($49,077 vs. $45,500).

Grinnell vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or U of R? 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 U of R and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is the same as at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at U of R (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; U of R - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Grinnell vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and U of R? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $11,330 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($13,170 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($136 vs. $253).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.