Grinnell vs. St Olaf

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

Grinnell College
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Grinnell College St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Grinnell14.5%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Grinnell higher
Grinnell1410-1540
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $7,607 less
Grinnell$34,363
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $8,346 less
Grinnell$68,106
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $8,346 less
Grinnell$68,106
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
Grinnell +3 pts
Grinnell88%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Grinnell +$5,800
Grinnell$59,500
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,630 vs. $16,842).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Grinnell than at St Olaf College (about $8,346 more per year; $68,106 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 8.8% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($49,077 vs. $45,098).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Grinnell than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Grinnell average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($136 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf 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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