Academic Comparison between Grinnell College and ISU

Grinnell College and Iowa State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Grinnell College 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 College is a private (not-for-profit) and ISU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Grinnell College has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,862) than ISU ($27,683).
  • It is harder to admit to Grinnell College than ISU.
  • Grinnell College has a higher submitted SAT score (1,490) than ISU (1,240).
  • Grinnell College has higher submitted ACT score (33) than ISU (24).
  • ISU has more students with 29,969 students while Grinnell College has 1,759 students.
  • Grinnell College 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 1,519 faculties while Grinnell College has 202 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)
$64,8622024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$10,497
Out-Of-State$27,683
89%% Receiving Financial Aid79%
$43,476Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,461
13.00 %Acceptance Rates89.00 %
35.98 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.00 %
1,490SAT Score1,240
33ACT Score24
88 %Graduation Rate74 %
-Transfer-out Rate18 %
93 %Retention Rate86 %
1,759Student Population29,969
202Number of Faculties1,519
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