Grinnell vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Grinnell vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas than Grinnell ($31,250 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 11.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($14,969 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $13,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Grinnell than at University of St Thomas (about $13,708 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Grinnell College (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 37.9% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($49,077 vs. $35,587).

Grinnell vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 140 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1340).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Grinnell vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($136 vs. $268).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.