Grinnell College campus

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Grinnell Demographics & Diversity

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  • Grinnell, IA
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

High

Racial Diversity Index: 62%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Grinnell are mainly White with a small Foreign Resident population. The school has high racial diversity. 44% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Grinnell College students
Race Percent of Students
White
56%
Black
6%
Hispanic
7%
Asian
7%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
16%
Race Unknown
3%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 18% more female students than male students enrolled at Grinnell College with a gender ratio of 54% women to 46% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Grinnell has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Grinnell College students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
46%
Women
54%
Enrollment by gender for Grinnell College students
Gender Number of Students
Men
819
Women
969

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very High

Geographic Diversity Index: 92%

Grinnell draws 8 percent of students from Iowa, 68 percent from other states, and 21 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Iowa, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Grinnell College students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
8%
Out of State
68%
Foreign
21%
Unknown Location
3%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$70,311 per year

19% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

1,788
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 0.1%
Part-time undergraduates 0.2%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Grinnell College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153384.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026