Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA

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Grinnell College, founded in 1846, is a private, liberal arts college. It may at first appear indistinguishable from other acclaimed liberal arts colleges, but like the students it attracts, Grinnell is marked by an unusual blend of academic rigor, individualism, innovation, informality and social justice. Free from core requirements, students design their academic programs in engaged consultation with faculty advisors. Grinnellians feel empowered in and out of the classroom. Furthermore, residential life is largely self-governed. Student opinions are not only heard, but valued. Students from 50 states and 47 countries make Grinnell a cosmopolitan haven in America's heartland. Its 95-acre campus is located in Grinnell, 55 miles east of Des Moines.

Website: www.grinnell.edu/

Private
Co-ed
1,712
Undergraduate
Students
(53.2%) 910 Women
(46.8%) 802 Men
Not reported
Graduate
Students

Admission

Entrance Difficulty
Very difficult
Overall Admission Rate
29% of 5,850 applicants were admitted
Early Action Offered
No
Early Decision Offered
Yes
Regular Admission Deadline
January 15

Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen

Average GPA
Not reported
SAT Math
670-770 range of middle 50%
SAT EBRW
640-740 range of middle 50%
ACT Composite
30-34 range of middle 50%
See more

Money Matters

Cost of Attendance
$68,102
Tuition and Fees
$52,392
Room and Board
$12,810
Average Percent of Need Met
100%
Average Freshman Award
$50,145
Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
$18,694
See more

Academics

Academic Calendar System
Semester
General Education/Core Curriculum
Not required for most or all students
Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
177
Regular Class Size
2-9 students: 25% of classes
10-19 students: 44% of classes
20-29 students: 28% of classes
30-39 students: 3% of classes
See more

Campus Life

Grinnell Population
9,049
Nearest Metropolitan Area
 
Freshman Housing Guarantee
Freshmen are guaranteed housing
Students in College Housing
88% of all students
Athletic Conferences
NCAA Division III
Mascot
 
Sororities
 
Fraternities
 
See more

Students

Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
0.0% American Indian/Alaskan Native
9.3% Asian
7.2% Black/African-American
8.6% Hispanic/Latino
5.4% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
62.8% White
6.7% Unknown
International Students
19.0% from 51 countries
First-Year Students Returning
96.0%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
83.7%
Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
24%
Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
Not reported
See more

Freshman Admission Requirements

Entrance Difficulty

Very Difficult: More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.

High School Preparation

High School Graduation
High school diploma required and GED is accepted
High School Program
College preparatory program is recommended

High School Units Required or Recommended

High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject Required Units Recommended Units
English   4
Mathematics   4
Science   3
Foreign Language   3
Social Studies   3
History   3
Academic Electives    

Examinations

Examinations
Exam Required Units Scores Due in Admissions Office
SAT or ACT Required January 15
SAT Only    
ACT Only    
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT    
SAT Subject Tests Only  
SAT Essay Component Policy Accepted with or without essay component
ACT Writing Test Policy Accepted with or without writing component
ACT Writing Test Policy SAT: Not used
ACT: Not used

Applying for Admission

Admissions Office

Address
1103 Park Street
City, State, Zip
Grinnell, IA 50112-1690
Phone
(641) 269-3600
Fax
(641) 269-3408
E-mail
admission@grinnell.edu

Application Dates and Fees

Regular Admisson Deadline
January 15
Application Fee
No fee required
Application Fee Waiver
Not reported
Regular Admission Notification
April 1
Accept Offer of Admission
May 1
Waiting List Used
Yes
Defer Admission
Student can defer admission
Transfer Admission
Transfer applications accepted

Early Admission

Early Decision Offered
Yes
Early Decision Deadline
November 15, January 1
Early Decision Notification
December 15, February 1
Early Action Offered
No
Early Action Deadline
 
Early Action Notification
 

Application Form

Common Application
Accepted
Universal College Application
Not accepted
Electronic Application
Available

Other Application Requirements

Interview
Not Required
Essay or Personal Statement
Required for all freshmen
Letters of Recommendation
3 required for all freshmen
Other
 
Financial Need
Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process

Selection of Students

Selection of Students
Factor Very Important Important Considered Not Considered
Rigor of Secondary School Record X
Academic GPA X
Standardized Tests X
Class Rank X
Recommendations X
Essay X
Interview X
Level of Applicant's Interest X
Extracurricular Activities X
Volunteer Work X
Particular Talent/Ability X
Character/Personal Qualities X
First Generation to Attend College X
State Residency X
Geographic Residence X
Relation with Alumnus X
Religious Affiliation/Commitment X
Ethnicity X
Work Experience X

Profile of Fall Admission

Overall Admission Rate
29% of 5,850 applicants were admitted
Women
31% of 3,077 applicants were admitted
Men
26% of 2,773 applicants were admitted
Students Enrolled
450 (27%) of 1,689 admitted students enrolled
Women
234 (24%) of 968 admitted students enrolled
Men
216 (30%) of 721 admitted students enrolled
Early Decision Admission Rate
61% of 322 applicants were admitted
Early Action Admission Rate
 
Students Offered Wait List
1,126
Students Accepting Wait List Position
534
Students Admitted From Wait List
12

Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)

Average GPA
Not reported
3.75 and Above
Not reported
3.50 - 3.74
Not reported
3.25 - 3.49
Not reported
3.00 - 3.24
Not reported
2.50 - 2.99
Not reported
2.00 - 2.49
Not reported

SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen

SAT Math
670-770 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800
64%
Score of 600 - 700
30%
Score of 500 - 600
6%
Score of 400 - 500
0%
Score of 300 - 400
0%
Score of 200 - 300
0%
SAT EBRW
640-740 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800
50%
Score of 600 - 700
44%
Score of 500 - 600
6%
Score of 400 - 500
0%
Score of 300 - 400
0%
Score of 200 - 300
0%

ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen

ACT Composite
30-34 range of middle 50%
Score of 30 - 36
84%
Score of 24 - 29
16%
Score of 18 - 23
0%
Score of 12 - 17
0%
Score of 6 - 11
0%
Score of 5 or Below
0%

Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen

High School Class Rank
Top tenth: 69%
Top quarter: 91%
Top half: 99%
National Merit Scholar
Not reported
Valedictorian
Not reported
Class President
Not reported
Student Government Officer
Not reported

Tuition and Expenses

Cost of Attendance
$68,102
Tuition and Fees
$52,392
Room and Board
$12,810
Books and Supplies
$900
Other Expenses
$2,000
Payment Plans
Installment plan

Applying for Financial Aid

Financial Aid Office

Email
finaid@grinnell.edu
Web Site
Financial Aid Web Site
Net Price Calculator URL
Net Price Calculator URL

Application Process

Application Deadline
Priority deadline January 15
Final deadline January 15
Award Notification
On or about April 1
Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required Cost to File
FAFSA
Code is 001868		 Free
CSS/Financial Aid Profile $25 for first college, $16 each additional
Noncustodial (Divorced/Separated) Parent's Statement  

Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid

Freshman

Financial Aid Applicants
382 (81.2%) of freshmen
Found to Have Financial Need
324 (79.9%) of applicants
Received Financial Aid
324 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
Need Fully Met
324 (100.0%) of aid recipients
Average Percent of Need Met
100%
Average Award
$50,145
Need-Based Gift
Received by 324 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $45,007
Need-Based Self-Help
Received by 281 (86.6%) of aid recipients, average amount $5,062
Merit-Based Gift
Received by 43 (13.4%) of aid recipients
Merit-Based Gift
74 (20.8%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $18,811

All Undergraduates

Financial Aid Applicants
1,212 (72.1%) of undergraduates
Found to Have Financial Need
1,103 (91.0%) of applicants
Received Financial Aid
1,103 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
Need Fully Met
1,103 (100.0%) of aid recipients
Average Percent of Need Met
100%
Average Award
$49,880
Need-Based Gift
Received by 1,103 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $43,783
Need-Based Self-Help
Received by 974 (88.3%) of aid recipients, average amount $6,121
Merit-Based Gift
Received by 129 (11.7%) of aid recipients
Merit-Based Gift
333 (20.4%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $18,721

Borrowing

2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
60%
Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
$18,694
Parents of Students Receiving Aid
Not reported
Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
Not reported

Financial Aid Programs

Loans

Federal Loans
Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans
State Loans
Available
Other Loans
College/university loans

Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Available
Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships, National Merit Scholarships, Dollars for Scholars Matching Funds
Non-Need–Based Available
None

Non-Need Awards

Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
Not reported
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
Not reported
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
Leadership
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Special Characteristics Award Areas
Local/State Students
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 

Employment

Work-Study Programs
Federal work study available, other work study available
Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
Not reported
Academic Calendar System
Semester
Summer Session
Not offered
General Catalog/Bulletin
Online Catalog

Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate Majors

  • Anthropology
  • Art/Art Studies, General
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • Chemistry, General
  • Chinese Language and Literature
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
  • Computer Science
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
  • Economics, General
  • English Language and Literature, General
  • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General
  • French Language and Literature
  • German Language and Literature
  • History, General
  • Mathematics, General
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
  • Music, General
  • Philosophy
  • Physics, General
  • Political Science and Government, General
  • Psychology, General
  • Religion/Religious Studies
  • Russian Language and Literature
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language and Literature
Most Popular Disciplines
Social sciences, Biological/life sciences, Physical sciences
Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
Engineering, architecture with Washington University in St. Louis, law at Columbia University
Special Programs
Accelerated program, Student-designed major, Double major, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad
Study Abroad
Offered
Online Degrees
No online degree programs

Curriculum and Graduation Requirements

General Education/Core Curriculum
Not required for most or all students
Computer
Students not required to own/lease a computer
Foreign Language
Not required
Math/Science
Not required

Faculty and Instruction

Full-Time Faculty
177
Part-Time Faculty
32
Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
84%
Regular Class Size
2-9 students: 25% of classes
10-19 students: 44% of classes
20-29 students: 28% of classes
30-39 students: 3% of classes
Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
2-9 students: 29% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 57% of discussion sections/labs
20-29 students: 14% of discussion sections/labs

Advanced Placement

International Baccalaureate
Accepted
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Accepted for placement and credit
Sophomore Standing
Available through AP examinations

Academic Resources

Library Available on Campus
Yes
Holdings
981,074
Computer Ownership
Students not required to own/lease a computer
Computers Available on Campus
200
Internet/E-mail Access
Not reported

Academic Support Services

Remedial Instruction
Not Offered
Tutoring
Available
Services for Learning Disabled Students
Available
Services for Physically Disabled Students
Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access

Graduate/Professional School Education

Master's Degrees Offered

Not reported

Master's Programs of Study

  • Not reported

Doctoral Degrees Offered

Not reported

Doctoral Programs of Study

  • Not reported

Location and Setting

Grinnell Population
9,049
Nearest Metropolitan Area
 
Campus Size
120 acres

Weather

Temperature
10.7 average low in January, 82.2 average high in September
Rain
108 rainy days per year

Getting Around

Campus Map
Map
Nearest Bus Station
4 mile(s) from campus in Grinnell
Nearest Train Station
56 mile(s) from campus in Ottumwa

Housing

College Housing
College offers housing to students
Types of Housing
Coed housing, cooperative housing, disabled student housing
Students in College Housing
88% of all students
Housing Requirements
Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus
Freshman Housing Guarantee
Freshmen are guaranteed housing
Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
12%
Off-Campus Housing Assistance
Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available

Security

24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
Available
24-Hour Security Patrols
Available
Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
Available
Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
Available
Other
 

Personal Support Services

Health Service
Offered
Personal Counseling
Offered
Child Care
Not offered

Sports and Recreation

Intercollegiate Athletics

Athletic Conferences
NCAA Division III
Mascot
 
School Colors
Scarlet and black

Intercollegiate Sports Offered

Sports Women Men
Offered Scholarships Offered Scholarships
Baseball     x  
Basketball x   x  
Cross-Country Running x   x  
Football     x  
Golf x   x  
Soccer x   x  
Softball x      
Swimming And Diving x   x  
Tennis x   x  
Track And Field x   x  
Volleyball x      
Women's Sports Offered Scholarships
Baseball    
Basketball x  
Cross-Country Running x  
Football    
Golf x  
Soccer x  
Softball x  
Swimming And Diving x  
Tennis x  
Track And Field x  
Volleyball x  
Mens's Sports Offered Scholarships
Baseball x  
Basketball x  
Cross-Country Running x  
Football x  
Golf x  
Soccer x  
Softball    
Swimming And Diving x  
Tennis x  
Track And Field x  
Volleyball    
Women's Club Sports
 
Men's Club Sports
 

Recreational Sports

Intramural Sports
badminton, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo

Student Activities

Activities and Organizations
choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, concerned black students, international student organization, student organization of latinas/latinos, campus democrats, ultimate frisbee
Sororities
 
Fraternities
 
ROTC
 

Student Body

Coeducational
Yes
All Undergraduates
1,712
Women
910 (53.2%)
Men
802 (46.8%)
Full-Time Undergraduates
1,662
Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
0.0% American Indian/Alaskan Native
9.3% Asian
7.2% Black/African-American
8.6% Hispanic/Latino
5.4% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
62.8% White
6.7% Unknown
International Students.
19.0% from 51 countries
Average Age
20
All Graduate Students
Not reported

Undergraduate Retention and Graduation

First-Year Students Returning
96.0%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
83.7%
Students Graduating Within 5 Years
86.4%
Students Graduating Within 6 Years
87.0%

After Graduation

Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
24%
Average Starting Salary
24%
Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
Not reported
Disciplines Pursued
Business 1.5%
Engineering 0.3%
Law 3%
Theology 0.6%
Dentistry 0.3%
Arts and Sciences 12%
Medicine 3%
Veterinary Medicine 0.3%
Education 9%

A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."