Overview
Grinnell College is a highly selective private four-year institution in Grinnell, Iowa. The school accepts 10.8% of applicants and enrolls 1,705 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 10.8%
- Average SAT
- 1,455
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,380–1,530
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 1,705
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Grinnell's admissions committee prioritizes intellectual risk-taking over perfect transcripts, so your application should showcase moments when you pursued ideas that genuinely excited you, even if they led to unconventional outcomes. The college's open curriculum means you can graduate without distribution requirements, making your essay about why you want this academic freedom more important than listing every extracurricular activity.
Your supplemental essays should reference Grinnell's social action tradition and its $2 billion endowment that funds extensive undergraduate research opportunities. Mention specific professors whose work aligns with your interests, or discuss how you'd use the college's individually advised curriculum to create your own interdisciplinary major. The admissions office wants to see that you understand how Grinnell's resources differ from those at similar liberal arts colleges.
Don't write about small town charm or tight-knit community bonds. Every rural college applicant makes this mistake. Instead, focus on Grinnell's activist legacy, from its role in the Underground Railroad to its current commitment to need-blind admissions and socioeconomic diversity. Reference the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights if you're interested in policy work, or mention the Wilson Program for Enterprise and Leadership if you want to start a business.
Your "Why Grinnell" essay should demonstrate knowledge of the college's self-governance tradition, where students have significant input in campus policies. Discuss how you'd contribute to or benefit from this model. If you're applying for financial aid, explain how Grinnell's no-loan policy would impact your academic choices.
The application process itself is straightforward, but applying Early Decision gives you a significant advantage in admissions chances. Grinnell uses the Common Application with two required supplements: a "Why Grinnell" essay and a choice between several prompts about your background and interests. Your responses should be specific enough that they couldn't apply to Carleton, Macalester, or Oberlin.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $15,608/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $64,862
- Students Receiving Aid
- 17%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 87.5%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,830/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 93.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Grinnell College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Grinnell College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application.
What is the early decision deadline for Grinnell College?
Grinnell offers Early Decision I with a November 15 deadline and Early Decision II with a January 1 deadline. Both are binding commitments.
Can you transfer to Grinnell College as a sophomore or junior?
Yes, Grinnell accepts transfer students for fall and spring semesters. Transfer applicants must have completed at least one semester of college coursework.
Does Grinnell College have specific application requirements beyond the Common Application?
Grinnell uses the Common Application and requires a supplement that includes additional essays. No interviews are required, though optional alumni interviews are available in some areas.