Grinnell vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Denison University 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Denison? 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 Grinnell College than Denison ($34,363 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 2.6% lower than at Grinnell College ($16,400 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $1,106 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Grinnell than at Denison University (about $1,106 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College as at Denison University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 28.5% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($49,077 vs. $38,179).

Grinnell vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 70 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Grinnell vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($136 vs. $268).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.