Academic Comparison between Grinnell and ISU

Grinnell College and Iowa State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Grinnell is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Grinnell, IA and ISU is a four-year, public school located in Ames, IA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Grinnell is a private (not-for-profit) and ISU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Grinnell has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,196) than ISU ($28,881).
  • It is harder to admit to Grinnell than ISU.
  • Grinnell has a higher submitted SAT score (1,490) than ISU (1,250).
  • Grinnell has higher submitted ACT score (33) than ISU (24).
  • ISU has more students with 30,380 students while Grinnell has 1,788 students.
  • Grinnell has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while ISU's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • ISU has more full-time faculties with 1,432 faculties while Grinnell has 209 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Grinnell Collegevs.Iowa State University
Grinnell, IowaLocationAmes, Iowa
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$68,1962025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$10,787
Out-Of-State$28,881
89%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$48,277Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,270
14.51 %Acceptance Rates88.66 %
30.93 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.84 %
1,490SAT Score1,250
33ACT Score24
88 %Graduation Rate75 %
-Transfer-out Rate19 %
93 %Retention Rate88 %
1,788Student Population30,380
209Number of Faculties1,432
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare