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Grinnell College
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Grinnell, IA🏛️ Private university📝 Test-optional

Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this private college enrolls 1,759 students and accepts 14.5% of applicants. It's most selective for students scoring 1410–1540 on the SAT. Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science are the dominant majors. The average net price after aid is $33,467 annually, and graduates earn a median of $62,830 ten years after entry, with a completion rate of 88%.

Acceptance rate
14.5%
Enrollment
1,759
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
88%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1410 – 1540
ACT (composite)
31 – 34
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$9,970
family income
$30–48k
$7,789
family income
$48–75k
$9,669
family income
$75–110k
$19,348
family income
$110k+
$37,725
family income
18% receive Pell grants
13% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Grinnell College graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Social Sciences
26.1%
Biology
16.2%
Computer Science
13.8%
Psychology
9.4%
Physical Sciences
8.9%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$62,830
Earnings (6 yr)
$49,004
Completion
88%
Retention
93%
Median debt
$17,500

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Grinnell College?

Grinnell College has an acceptance rate of 14.5%, making it highly selective.

What SAT score do you need for Grinnell College?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1410 and 1540 on the SAT. The ACT range is 31–34.

How much does Grinnell College actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $9,970 per year, rising to $37,725 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Grinnell College?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.