Wheaton College vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College than Grinnell ($31,356 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 22.8% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,010 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 49.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $22,560 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.5% higher at Grinnell than at Wheaton College (about $22,560 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Grinnell College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 75.4% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($49,077 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 110 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Wheaton College vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Wheaton College's (87%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $9,330 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($13,170 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($136 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.