Grinnell College

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Grinnell, IA
5.0 1 review

#1 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,788

Location Grinnell, Iowa
Website grinnell.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Remote Town

Best Colleges Rank

#57

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Grinnell College is located in the small town of Grinnell, Iowa, approximately 55 miles east of Des Moines. Founded in 1846, this private liberal arts institution occupies a 120-acre main campus featuring a mix of historic red-brick buildings and modern architectural structures, including the distinctive Noyce Science Center and the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts. The college maintains a highly selective admission process and is known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their academic paths with minimal core requirements. Grinnell's strongest academic programs include biological sciences, social sciences, and computer science, with the college being particularly recognized for its data science initiatives. Students are required to live on campus for the first three years, choosing from traditional residence halls or themed housing communities that support the college's emphasis on collaborative living and learning.

See my Chances for Admission

Ratings

Grinnell is rated within the top 13% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

Overall Rating

9 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Grinnell College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Elite

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1410/1540
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 31/34

Acceptance Rate

14.5%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 30.9%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

View Admission Requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$68,106

Costs for Grinnell College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$68,106
Books and Supplies		$800
Other Fees		$546
Room and Board		$16,842
Budget for Other Expenses		$1,850
Total One Year Cost		$88,144

View Tuition & Financial Aid Details

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$59,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

88% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Grinnell College are Social Sciences, Foreign Languages, and Biology. 27% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in Foreign Languages, and 11% in Biology.