Grinnell combines exceptional academic selectivity with well-controlled debt levels, though earnings performance falls below expectations for students with such strong credentials. The institution ranks well above average for return on investment while maintaining typical access levels for highly selective liberal arts colleges.
Controlled debt levels relative to long-term earnings
Generous financial aid for selected income ranges
Moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students for a highly selective institution
The institution's ability to support economic advancement despite modest earnings uplift
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisHighly selective liberal arts education
Grinnell delivers earnings outcomes that fall below expectations given the exceptional qualifications of entering students. Graduates earn a median of $62,830 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 77th percentile nationally in absolute terms.
However, when compared to similar students with comparable test scores and demographics, Grinnell graduates earn $12,212 below expectations, placing the institution at the 10.6th percentile for earnings uplift. Earnings span from $38,836 at the 25th percentile to $90,289 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across liberal arts disciplines.
Students seeking rigorous liberal arts education with selective admissions but below-expectations career earnings. Best suited for those prioritizing academic experience over post-graduation financial outcomes, particularly in humanities and sciences.
Strong fit for students from higher-income families given limited financial aid reach.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Grinnell College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/grinnell-college/analysis.
Grinnell College ranks #256 nationally with well above average composite performance at the 84.3rd percentile. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this small private nonprofit liberal arts college maintains highly selective admission with a 12.7% acceptance rate while serving 16.9% Pell-eligible and 17.6% first-generation students.
Grinnell admits students with exceptional test scores, ranking at the 99.0th percentile nationally for both SAT (1418-1550 range) and ACT (31-34 range) performance. However, graduates earn $12,212 below expectations relative to similar students, ranking at just the 10.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $62,830 ten years after enrollment, placing Grinnell at the 77th percentile nationally. This combination of highly selective admissions with modestly below-average earnings relative to student qualifications reflects the liberal arts focus and career paths typically pursued by graduates.
Grinnell admits approximately 12.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 8 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Grinnell in the highly selective category, with admission rates between 10-25%.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the substantial difference between Grinnell's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among competitive liberal arts colleges, Grinnell's acceptance rate represents significant selectivity.
This level of selectivity means that academically strong students still face uncertainty in the admission process, as the college must turn away many qualified applicants. Students considering Grinnell should approach it as a reach school regardless of their academic credentials and build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality.
The highly competitive nature of admission requires exceptional academic preparation and distinguishing personal qualities beyond test scores and grades.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Grinnell's published cost of attendance reaches $79,228 per year, including $64,862 in tuition, $15,878 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price across all income levels is $15,608, representing financial aid savings of $63,620 compared to the sticker price. This substantial discount reflects Grinnell's commitment to making education accessible through need-based aid, though the effectiveness varies considerably by family income.
The net price of $15,608 compares favorably to the peer median of $21,812, representing $6,204 in savings compared to similar institutions. The difference between sticker price and actual cost highlights the importance of applying for financial aid, as most students pay a fraction of the published cost.
Families should focus on net price calculations rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, though higher-income families face substantially higher costs.
Grinnell graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from the early to mid-career period. Median earnings increase from $49,004 six years after enrollment to $58,562 at eight years and $62,830 at ten years, representing 28.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 299 graduates, providing confidence in the reported figures. Despite strong absolute earnings at the 77th percentile nationally, graduates earn $12,212 below expectations compared to similar students, reflecting the institution's liberal arts mission and typical career paths in academia, nonprofit work, and public service.
Earnings distribution spans from $38,836 to $90,289, with the 75th percentile earning 2.3 times more than the 25th percentile. Approximately 21.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
The earnings trajectory shows consistent growth over time, though starting from a base that reflects liberal arts career patterns rather than high-earning technical or business fields.
Computer Science.
62 graduates
Applied Economics.
47 graduates
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
38 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
49 graduates
American History (United States).
17 graduates
Grinnell offers 10 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Computer Science dominates earnings outcomes at $106,113 median salary with 62 graduates, ranking #96 nationally and #1 in Iowa.
Applied Economics ranks #132 nationally and #4 in Iowa, graduating 47 students with median earnings of $67,691. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology demonstrates exceptional value with a score of 88.8, ranking #13 nationally and #1 in Iowa, graduating 38 students earning $56,764.
English Language and Literature ranks #38 nationally and #1 in Iowa with a strong value score of 87.2, graduating 29 students earning $49,405. American Government and Politics ranks #152 nationally but #2 in Iowa, graduating 49 students earning $51,522.
These programs reflect Grinnell's liberal arts focus while showing Computer Science as a clear outlier in earnings performance, earning nearly twice as much as other top programs.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iowa State University Higher acceptance rate (76.4 percentage points higher) and located 51 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IA | 89% | $63,386 | Compare |
Mount Mercy University Higher acceptance rate (66.1 percentage points higher) and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IA | 79% | $60,787 | Compare |
University Of Iowa Higher acceptance rate (72 percentage points higher) and located 61 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IA | 85% | $64,762 | Compare |
Wheaton College Higher acceptance rate (77.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IL | 90% | $63,756 | Compare |
Hamline University Higher acceptance rate (77.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MN | 90% | $61,106 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Saint Mary's University Similar quality tier (#250 ranked) | CA | 69% | $72,379 | #250 | Compare |
Holy Family University Similar quality tier (#249 ranked) | PA | 74% | $62,235 | #249 | Compare |
The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences Similar quality tier in Midwest (#255 ranked) | OH | 50% | $68,303 | #255 | Compare |
Thomas Jefferson University Similar quality tier (#237 ranked) | PA | 86% | $77,449 | #237 | Compare |
Stevens Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#262 ranked) | NJ | 43% | $108,772 | #262 | Compare |
