Notre Dame vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Notre Dame vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 University of Notre Dame than Grinnell ($29,300 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 5.9% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($16,842 vs. $17,900).
• Grinnell College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $3,081 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Grinnell than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,081 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Notre Dame (94% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 10% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($53,971 vs. $49,077).

Notre Dame vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 30 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Notre Dame 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: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Notre Dame vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame 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 $8,330 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($13,170 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($136 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.