Grinnell Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Grinnell is 10.5%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Iowa and the 30th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Grinnell and can you get accepted?

Grinnell is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA and SAT/ACT requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,108 out of the 10,513 who applied were admitted.

The school has exceptionally high admission requirements for SAT and ACT scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 6 percent (SAT 1370/1530 ACT 30/34). Grinnell College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.89. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Grinnell?

11% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Grinnell College you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.89 or better
• Earn A- grades in high school
• Score 1450 on the SAT
• Score 32 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
• Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Grinnell College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Grinnell are to have around a 3.89 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Grinnell is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Grinnell is 3.89 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.89 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Testing Requirements

You are required to submit admission test scores with your application. Grinnell College is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to confirm the most up to date testing requirements.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Grinnell College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Grinnell is 1450 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1370-1530. Students who get into Grinnell College score in the top 6 percent of all SAT test takers..  Grinnell ranks #1 in the state of Iowa and #45 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1450 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Grinnell regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1370 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1370, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1290, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 29 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1450 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1450, you have around a 11% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 19% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Grinnell?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Grinnell is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 34.  The school ranks #1 in Iowa and #55 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

33 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Grinnell College.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Grinnell for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 11% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 19% with a 34 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

71% of Grinnell College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Grinnell College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Grinnell College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Grinnell is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.89 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1450 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 32 to have a competitive chance of getting in.