Grinnell vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Grinnell vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College ($34,363 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 10.5% lower than at Grinnell College ($15,080 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $4,056 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Grinnell than at Whitman College (about $4,056 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College as at Whitman College (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($49,077 vs. $40,489).

Grinnell vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 80 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Grinnell vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Whitman College? 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 Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($13,170 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($136 vs. $180).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.