Grinnell vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Grinnell vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Grinnell ($29,981 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 7.7% lower than at Vassar College ($16,842 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $2,924 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Vassar than at Grinnell College (about $2,924 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Vassar College (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 17% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($57,443 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 20 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Grinnell vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $2,610 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($13,170 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($136 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.