Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa
How selective is it?
Grinnell College is in our Most Selective tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Third-party estimates ~11-15%, at the edge of two tiers.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use Grinnell College in your college list
Treat this as a reach for nearly every applicant, even with top grades and test scores. Apply because the school fits you, not because you expect to get in, and balance it with several schools in lower tiers. Review at these schools is typically holistic, so essays, activities, and recommendations carry real weight.
Building a list across tiers? See all 6 Iowa colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
Check the current numbers yourself
For Grinnell College's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Grinnell College?+
Grinnell College sits in our "Most Selective" tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Third-party estimates ~11-15%, at the edge of two tiers.
Is Grinnell College hard to get into?+
Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check Grinnell College's own admissions data for the current year.
How do I find Grinnell College's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "Grinnell College Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is Grinnell College?+
Grinnell College is a private institution in Grinnell, Iowa.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with Grinnell College. Always confirm details with the school.