Grinnell vs. Missouri Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Southern State University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Missouri Southern State University is in Joplin, MO (Small City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Missouri Southern State University 15:1.

Grinnell vs. Missouri Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University than Grinnell ($11,626 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 45.9% lower than at Grinnell College ($9,119 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 660.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $59,146 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298.7% higher at Grinnell than at Missouri Southern State University (about $51,026 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Missouri Southern State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 546% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($49,077 vs. $7,597).

Grinnell vs. Missouri Southern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 190 points higher than at Missouri Southern (1290).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Missouri Southern State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Missouri Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 20.5% at Missouri Southern.

Grinnell vs. Missouri Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $7,661 lower median loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates ($13,170 vs. $20,831).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri Southern graduates ($136 vs. $215).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 53%)

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.