Admissions Details
- Acceptance Rate
- 10.8%
- Average SAT
- 1,455
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,380–1,530
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 1,705
Admissions Overview
Grinnell College is highly selective with a 10.76% acceptance rate. This means fewer than 11 out of every 100 applicants gain admission, making it one of the most competitive liberal arts colleges in the country. Successful applicants typically score between 1380 and 1530 on the SAT or around 33 on the ACT. The college seeks intellectually curious students who thrive without rigid academic requirements, since Grinnell famously has no distribution requirements or core curriculum. They want self-directed learners who can handle the freedom of an open curriculum and students passionate about social justice, as the college has deep roots in progressive activism and community engagement.