Grinnell vs. Whitman College

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

Grinnell College
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 38.1%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Grinnell. Average net price is $34,363 vs $37,633 at Whitman College.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Grinnell College Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Grinnell14.5%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Grinnell higher
Grinnell1410-1540
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
Grinnell $3,270 less
Grinnell$34,363
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
Whitman College $4,056 less
Grinnell$68,106
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
Whitman College $4,056 less
Grinnell$68,106
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Grinnell +2 pts
Grinnell88%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Grinnell +$2,600
Grinnell$59,500
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Grinnell College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 10.5% lower than at Grinnell College ($15,080 vs. $16,842).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Grinnell than at Whitman College (about $4,056 more per year; $68,106 vs. $64,050).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College as at Whitman College (94% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($49,077 vs. $40,489).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Grinnell than at Whitman College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Grinnell average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Whitman College (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($13,170 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($136 vs. $180).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation (93% 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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