Grinnell vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Grinnell ($22,408 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 22.9% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($16,842 vs. $21,854).
• Grinnell College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $2,316 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Grinnell than at Washington University in St Louis (about $2,316 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Washington University in St Louis (94% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 34.6% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($66,080 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 60 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming WUSTL 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; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Grinnell vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and WUSTL ? 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,730 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($136 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.