Grinnell vs. Lafayette College

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

Grinnell College
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Grinnell. Average net price is $34,363 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Grinnell College Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Grinnell14.5%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Grinnell higher
Grinnell1410-1540
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
Grinnell $4,079 less
Grinnell$34,363
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,708 less
Grinnell$68,106
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $2,708 less
Grinnell$68,106
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Grinnell +0 pts
Grinnell88%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$21,500
Grinnell$59,500
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Lafayette College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 15.2% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,842 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Grinnell than at Lafayette College (about $2,708 more per year; $68,106 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Lafayette College (94% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($49,077 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Grinnell average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($136 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 87%).

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

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