Grinnell vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with University of Minnesota Rochester in Rochester, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Grinnell vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota Rochester than Grinnell ($14,953 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Rochester are 16.9% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,994 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 353.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Rochester (about $53,090 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 353.6% higher at Grinnell than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $53,090 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Minnesota Rochester (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 249.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($49,077 vs. $14,057).

Grinnell vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 310 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Rochester).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• University of Minnesota-Rochester has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Grinnell vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $7,015 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates ($13,170 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates ($136 vs. $208).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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.