Grinnell College Admission: ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate

Grinnell College Admissions Overview:

Grinnell College has highly selective admissions, and in 2016 the prestigious liberal arts college had an acceptance rate of just 20 percent. Students will need high grades and standardized test scores in order to be considered for admission. To apply, interested students should submit an application (through the Common Application), high school transcripts, an essay, and SAT or ACT scores.

A personal interview is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. Be sure to check the Grinnell admissions website for current requirements and deadlines.

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Admissions Data (2016):

Grinnell College Acceptance Rate: 20 percent
Grinnell GPA and Test Score Graph
Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
- SAT Critical Reading: 640 / 750
- SAT Math: 680 / 780
- ACT Composite: 30 / 33
- ACT English: 30 / 35
- ACT Math: 28 / 33

Grinnell College Description:

Don’t be fooled by Grinnell’s rural location in Iowa. The school has a talented and diverse faculty and student body, and a rich history of social progressiveness. With an endowment over $1.5 billion and an 9:1 student / faculty ratio, Grinnell holds its own against the most elite schools in the Northeast, and it often ranks among the top liberal arts colleges.

For its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, Grinnell was awarded a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Students can choose from 27 majors, and the college relies on individualized planning and advising instead of core requirements. In athletics, the Grinnell Pioneers compete in the NCAA Division III Midwest Conference.

Popular sports include football, soccer, basketball, and cross country.

Enrollment (2016):

Total Enrollment: 1,699
Gender Breakdown: 45 percent male / 55 percent female
98% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

Tuition and Fees: $48,758
Books: $900
Room and Board: $11,980
Other Expenses: $2,200
Total Cost: $63,838

Grinnell Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 92 percent
Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 91 percent
- Loans: 52 percent
Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $31,088
- Loans: $4,594

Academic Programs:

Most Popular Majors: Biology, Economics, English, History, Math, Political Science, Psychology
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Graduation and Retention Rates:

First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94 percent
4-Year Graduation Rate: 81 percent
6-Year Graduation Rate: 86 percent

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

Men's Sports: Football, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Basketball, Track and Field, Baseball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer
Women's Sports: Golf, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, Track and Field, Swimming and Diving, Cross Country