Grinnell College
Grinnell College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Grinnell College at a Glance
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, United States. It was established as Iowa College in 1846 by a group of Congregationalists from New England. It has an "open curriculum," which means students need not follow a prescribed list of classes. The college's 120-acre (49 ha) campus includes several listings on the National Register of Historic Places.
1846
180 years old
$2.9B
$2.85 billion (2025)
1,700
223
120 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Grinnell College
Official admissions page2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Is Grinnell College Worth It?
Grinnell College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $17,648/year, it's priced 13% below average, while graduates go on to earn $62,830 — 17% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 88% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 15% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: Grinnell College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Grinnell College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 27 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pomona College | 94 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| #2 | Grinnell College | 78 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| #3 | Amherst College | 78 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| #4 | Carleton College | 67 | $25,407 | $75,525 |
| #5 | Hamilton College | 62 | $28,985 | $78,411 |
| #6 | Middlebury College | 56 | $31,483 | $76,310 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Grinnell College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Grinnell College
The highest-earning program at Grinnell College is Economics at $39,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at $16,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Grinnell College earns $39,900, while a Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduate earns $16,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $11,700 in median debt vs. $13,350 for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,648/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $39,900 | $39,900 | $11,700 |
| Biology, General | $34,500 | $34,500 | $12,556 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,400 | $26,400 | $16,500 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $16,980 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $15,570 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $16,400 | $16,400 | $13,350 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Grinnell, IA
- Student Body
- 1,729 students
- Admission Rate
- 15%
- Graduation Rate
- 88%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,648
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,830
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500