Northwestern vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Northwestern vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Grinnell? 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 Northwestern University than Grinnell ($26,830 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 20.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($16,842 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $216 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Northwestern than at Grinnell College (about $216 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Northwestern University (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($64,429 vs. $49,077).

Northwestern vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 60 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Northwestern 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: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern 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 Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Northwestern vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Grinnell? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $30,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,208 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($136 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.