Grinnell vs. Carleton College

Grinnell College and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Grinnell College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Grinnell College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Grinnell14.5%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Grinnell1410-1540
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $6,316 less
Grinnell$34,363
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Grinnell $786 less
Grinnell$68,106
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Grinnell $786 less
Grinnell$68,106
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +5 pts
Grinnell88%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$6,100
Grinnell$59,500
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Grinnell and Carleton College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Grinnell Check my chances at Carleton College
  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 4.2% lower than at Carleton College ($16,842 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Carleton College than at Grinnell College (about $786 more per year; $68,892 vs. $68,106).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Carleton College (94% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($56,846 vs. $49,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at Grinnell (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Grinnell (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($136 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 87%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Grinnell College
Carleton College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges