What makes Grinnell different
- One required class. Students choose everything else with an adviser under an individually advised curriculum.
- Funded research. Mentored research in every field, all expenses paid, from the campus observatory to theater abroad.
- A global small town. About one in five students comes from outside the United States, from more than 80 countries.
What Grinnell students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): computer science (53), econometrics and quantitative economics (38), political science (35), psychology (35), biology (33) and biochemistry (27). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Grinnell if…
- You want to design your own education.
- You'd like a quirky, close community in a small town.
- You want classmates from around the world.
Worth asking about
- How does the individually advised curriculum work?
- What does the Early Decision merit scholarship guarantee include?
How Grinnell compares with other liberal arts colleges
Grinnell admitted 14.5% of applicants for fall 2024 and is the only Iowa college in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Grinnell College's acceptance rate? 14.5% for fall 2024: 1,416 of 9,758 applicants were admitted.
Does Grinnell have early decision? Yes. Grinnell offers binding early decision in two rounds: Early Decision I (November 15) and Early Decision II (January 5). Source
Does Grinnell require the SAT or ACT? No. Grinnell is test-optional and has no minimum GPA or test score. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Grinnell charge out-of-state tuition? No. Grinnell is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $68,106 a year before aid. About 70% of first-year students came from outside Iowa.
How much is Grinnell tuition per semester? About $34,053 a semester, half the published $68,106 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Grinnell? About 1,700 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Grinnell known for? Its open curriculum, funded research and international student body.
How much does Grinnell cost? Published tuition and fees are $68,106 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $83,440. Students who received aid paid $17,772 a year on average.
Wondering if an open curriculum fits you?
Lens's assessments show whether you lean toward structure or flexibility, and which kinds of colleges fit. Start with Lens →