Grinnell vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Grinnell vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Williams? 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 Williams College than Grinnell ($15,894 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 2.4% lower than at Williams College ($16,842 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $454 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Williams than at Grinnell College (about $454 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Williams College (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 40.5% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($68,966 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 50 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Williams 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 43% at Williams.

Grinnell vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Williams? 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $1,412 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($13,170 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($136 vs. $150).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.