Overview
Grinnell, IA Grinnell College, located in Grinnell, Iowa, is known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study with guidance from faculty advisors. Grinnell also offers generous financial aid packages, making it one of the most accessible liberal arts colleges in the country. Notable alumni include Herbie Hancock and Robert Noyce, co-founder of Intel.
There are currently 1,709 undergraduates at Grinnell and the school’s acceptance rate is 11%. The tuition at Grinnell is $61,480.
Liberal Arts
Need Blind
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$79,628
$61,856
$17,772
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$79,628for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Grinnell is $79,628. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Grinnell would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Grinnell College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Grinnell need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Grinnell is 001868 and the CSS Profile Code is 6252.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
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Grinnell College QuestBridge Scholarships
Grinnell is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Grinnell College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Grinnell College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Grinnell has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Grinnell
Grinnell is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Grinnell's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Grinnell College? Grinnell offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Grinnell's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Grinnell College
19% of students at Grinnell College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Grinnell College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Grinnell students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Grinnell College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Grinnell or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.grinnell.edu/admission/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 641-269-3250
Admissions
11%
32
Does Grinnell College charge an application fee?
Good news! Grinnell College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Grinnell College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.
Is Grinnell test-optional?
Grinnell College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Grinnell?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Grinnell College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Grinnell?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Grinnell during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Grinnell students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 5.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Grinnell?
Applying to Grinnell with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Is Grinnell College need-blind?
Yes, Grinnell College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
88%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
22%
22% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
20%
20% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Mathematics
7%
7% of graduates
Physical Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
English Language & Literature
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,709
Pell Grant 17%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at Grinnell
53% White
20% International / Non-Citizen
8% Hispanic
8% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Multiracial
4% Black
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$62,830
Median Debt $17,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $186
Graduation Rate 88%
What is the graduation rate at Grinnell College?
88% of students who start at Grinnell College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 30% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Grinnell College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Grinnell College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $62,830. This is $12,439 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Grinnell take out in loans?
Graduates of Grinnell have to take out a median of $17,500 in federal student loans. This is $4,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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