Grinnell vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Grinnell ($22,174 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 19.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($16,842 vs. $21,024).
• Grinnell College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $930 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Grinnell than at Wellesley College (about $930 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Wellesley College (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 30.6% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($64,116 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Grinnell vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Wellesley? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $4,270 lower median loan debt than Grinnell graduates ($8,900 vs. $13,170).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grinnell graduates ($92 vs. $136).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.