More selective than 100% of Iowa colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
30% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 21% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Grinnell College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Grinnell College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Grinnell College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 700 | 750 |
| SAT math | 710 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 31 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1410 | 1540 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Grinnell College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 15% | 700–750 | 710–790 | 31–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 13% | 698–760 | 720–790 | 31–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Grinnell College compared with other Iowa colleges?
Grinnell College has the lowest acceptance rate of 29 Iowa colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinnell College | 15% | 88% | $17,648 |
| 2 | William Penn University | 52% | 33% | $22,601 |
| 3 | Emmaus Bible College | 60% | 83% | $13,186 |
| 4 | Drake University | 64% | 74% | $29,127 |
| 5 | Coe College | 64% | 66% | $18,745 |
| 6 | Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary | 68% | 68% | $16,282 |
| 7 | Dordt University | 68% | 70% | $25,807 |
| 8 | Morningside University | 71% | 50% | $31,320 |
| 9 | Luther College | 72% | 71% | $23,097 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Iowa colleges →
Who enrolls at Grinnell College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Grinnell College admissions questions
What is the Grinnell College acceptance rate?
Grinnell College accepts 15% of applicants, about 1 in 7. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,266 of 9,988 applicants were admitted.
Does Grinnell College require the SAT or ACT?
Grinnell College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 30% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Grinnell College?
The middle 50% of Grinnell College enrolled first-year students scored 1410–1540 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Grinnell College?
36% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (457 of 1,266).
Is Grinnell College getting harder to get into?
Grinnell College accepted 15% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 13% for Fall 2023.
Is Grinnell College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Grinnell College overview