Grinnell College
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $61,000 within 10 years; strong 88% graduation rate.
About This School
Grinnell College is a private nonprofit institution located in Grinnell, Iowa with approximately 1,729 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 15%. The average net price after financial aid is $17,648 per year. The graduation rate is 88%, and the typical graduate earns $61,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, United States. It was established as Iowa College in 1846 by a group of Congregationalists from New England. It has an "open curriculum", which means students need not follow a prescribed list of classes. The college's 120-acre (49 ha) campus includes several listings on the National Register of Historic Places.
This is a strong option for self-directed students who thrive without required courses — Grinnell's open curriculum is rare and genuinely distinctive, not just a marketing line. The financial picture is surprisingly accessible for a highly selective school (13% acceptance rate), with an average net price of just $15,608/year and median debt at graduation of only $14,151. The one honest caveat: median earnings of $61,000 a decade out are solid but not exceptional, so students banking on a high-salary career path should think carefully about their major and post-grad plans.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,729 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Iowa
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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