Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Grinnell College is very selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Grinnell College is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $59,488 10 years after enrolling, 2nd in Iowa, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Grinnell College bachelor students earn 9% less than the national average. Grinnell College is ranked 7th in Iowa.
Grinnell College’s median net annual cost of $25,182 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Grinnell College sorted by number of graduates - Computer Science, Biology, Economics, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Sociology, Poli Sci/Government - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$25,182
Average years to graduate
4.1
English Language & Lit
Rank: #93
Economic score: 4.97
Ethnic/Gender studies
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 7.39
Mathematics
Rank: #264
Economic score: 9.44
History
Rank: #357
Economic score: 26.06
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 28.84
Romance Language & Linguistics
Rank: #157
Economic score: 30.24
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 88% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Grinnell College is 23% higher than the state average, and 20% above the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At Grinnell College, Pell Grant recipients represent 20% of the measured graduating class, 15% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Grinnell College graduates within 4.1 years.
Grinnell College is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Grinnell College’s economic mobility score of 17.04 is calculated by adjusting the 1.49 economic score of lower-income students by the 20% pell grant recipients within the student body. Grinnell College’s EMS of 17.04 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Grinnell College pays $25,182 a year, $48,462 less than the $73,644 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $25,182
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Grinnell College, 100% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $25,182 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 42% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,018. This is 12% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$3,952
Pell grants
$4,682
State grants
$5,900
Institutional grants
$34,300
Grinnell College's very selective admissions are indicated by their 11% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 10,513 applicants, of which 1,108 were admitted and 471 enrolled. Grinnell College doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
53%
59%
First time
98%
59%
In-state
7%
68%
1st generation
18%
35%
White
51%
52%
Black
5%
14%
Hispanic
9%
15%
Asian
8%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
28%
12%