Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 87.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 87.5%
- Retention Rate
- 93.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $62,830
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $17,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 88.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $186/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $91,744 | $16,125 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $16,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $17,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $16,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $31,799 | $17,500 |
| History. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $17,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $17,582 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $16,549 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | Bachelor | $21,508 | |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $21,052 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $16,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $19,227 | $17,814 |
Outcomes Overview
Grinnell graduates earn a median of $62,830 six years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $17,500. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 28% falls well below the concerning 40% threshold that financial experts recommend avoiding. Monthly loan payments of $186 represent just 3.6% of median earnings, leaving graduates with substantial financial flexibility. The college's 94.5% employment rate reflects strong career outcomes across diverse fields from tech startups to public service, following Grinnell's tradition of producing leaders like Intel co-founder Robert Noyce. With generous financial aid averaging $42,231 and relatively modest debt loads, Grinnell delivers a strong return on investment despite its premium sticker price.