CAMPUS · GRINNELL, IA · PRIVATE

Grinnell College

12.7%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

REACH

Grinnell College is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

12.7%

of 9,988 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$62,830

across all majors

Grinnell College at a Glance

1,790

Total Enrollment

$17,500

Median Debt

17.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Grinnell College

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	698	760	729
SAT Math	720	790	755
SAT Total	1418	1550	1484
ACT Composite	31	34	32

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	9,988
Students Admitted	1,266
Students Enrolled	457
Yield Rate	36.1%

Grinnell College Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News Liberal Arts Colleges	#19	2025

Grinnell College Overview

Grinnell College is a private university in Grinnell, IA with 1,790 students. Its 12.7% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Computer Science.

Full Name	Grinnell College
Location	Grinnell, IA 50112-1690
Type	Private
Website	grinnell.edu/
Total Enrollment	1,790
Undergrad Enrollment	1,790
Female Students	52.5%

Is Grinnell College a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 12.7%, Grinnell College is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Grinnell College Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Grinnell College

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

27.3%

Biological Sciences

15.2%

Computer Science

11.9%

Foreign Languages

8.3%

English/Literature

6.4%

Best Majors at Grinnell College →

Student Demographics

White

52.4%

Black/African American

4.6%

Hispanic/Latino

8.3%

Asian

7.4%

International

19.0%

How to Get Into Grinnell College

Grinnell is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1484+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Grinnell wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1484

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

12.7%

Acceptance Rate

9,988

Total Applicants

What Grinnell College Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Important
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Grinnell College Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Grinnell College ED I/II admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Decision	Nov 15
Early Decision II	Jan 5
Regular Decision	Jan 15

Early Decision: Grinnell College offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Grinnell College is your clear first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grinnell College

What is Grinnell's acceptance rate?

Grinnell has an acceptance rate of 12.7%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Grinnell?

The middle 50% SAT range at Grinnell is 1418-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 31-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Grinnell?

The most popular majors at Grinnell by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (27.3%), Biological Sciences (15.2%), Computer Science (11.9%), Foreign Languages (8.3%), English/Literature (6.4%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Grinnell?

Grinnell accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.