Grinnell vs. Iowa

Grinnell College and University of Iowa side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Grinnell College
University of Iowa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs Iowa 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs Iowa $59,800 (median).
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Key differences

Grinnell College University of Iowa
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Grinnell14.5%
Iowa83.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Grinnell higher
Grinnell1410-1540
Iowa1130-1330
Average net price
Iowa $12,598 less
Grinnell$34,363
Iowa$21,765
In-state tuition
Iowa $56,823 less
Grinnell$68,106
Iowa$11,283
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $34,735 less
Grinnell$68,106
Iowa$33,371
Graduation rate
Grinnell +17 pts
Grinnell88%
Iowa71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$300
Grinnell$59,500
Iowa$59,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Iowa 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Iowa 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Iowa A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Iowa
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Iowa $9,865
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Iowa 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Iowa 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Iowa 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Iowa $223
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Iowa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Iowa #233

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Iowa is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 23.3% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,920 vs. $16,842).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at Grinnell than at University of Iowa (about $34,735 more per year; $68,106 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Iowa (94% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 397.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($49,077 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at Grinnell than at Iowa (32 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and Iowa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Grinnell average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Iowa (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $8,446 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($13,170 vs. $21,616).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($136 vs. $223).
  • More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 70%).

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

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