Grinnell vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Grinnell vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College than Grinnell ($33,221 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 13.2% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($16,842 vs. $19,400).
• Grinnell College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $2,186 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Grinnell than at Bryn Mawr College (about $2,186 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Bryn Mawr College (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($50,029 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 80 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Grinnell vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Bryn Mawr College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,500 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($136 vs. $268).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.