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Grinnell College

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Grinnell College campus
Founded in 1846, Grinnell College is a private, coed, residential liberal arts and sciences college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Our community embraces intellectual journeys of all kinds and provides the individualized guidance to dive deeper and define new directions. We are committed to contributing to the common good, and we are consistently ranked among the nation's best liberal arts colleges.
Accepts first-year applicationsMidwestPrivateRuralSmall (2,000 and under)Co-Ed
Virtual Tour

Academic programs

  • Liberal Arts

Student experience

  • Athletics
  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Disability Services
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

First-year

Admission to Grinnell is highly selective, and our students come from many different backgrounds. While no single factor guarantees admission, there are some undeniably Grinnellian characteristics that will help you stand out from the rest. For example, showing that you’ve taken a challenging and balanced high school curriculum, that you’re ready to explore the world and contribute to the greater good, that you’re eager to find your place in a supportive, inspiring community, and that you have demonstrated interest in Grinnell College.

Transfer

Visit us at grinnell.edu/admission/apply/transfer to learn more about the transfer student application process.

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Additional information

Mentors from day one? Yes. Passionate students? Of course. Beautiful campus? For sure.

Grinnell's hallmark and greatest strength is the agency you have in shaping your own studies and career.

At Grinnell, you’ll love the freedom of our "individually advised curriculum." We require only two courses outside your major. The rest of your four-year class schedule is up to you and your academic adviser to craft, based on your interests and aspirations. You can uncover what you truly care about, like diving into a new major or working on graduate-level research in your topic of choice. And, combined with our no-loan financial aid policy, Grinnell students graduate with less debt and more direction.

Every Grinnellian has access to study, work, and experiences in more than 30 countries. Even on campus, you'll hear more than 70 languages spoken by students from every state and 85+ countries. Grinnellians come from all over the globe to attend this top-ranked national college.

Visit us

Going to college is more than just classes and studying. You’ll try new things and delve deeper into your current interests. You’ll meet people who will become your friends and mentors for life. You’ll walk on the prairie, bike the country roads, grab a coffee downtown, hang out with your friends, and dream about your future. For four years, you’ll live here. And although the story is different for every Grinnellian, there’s only one way to find out how your story unfolds — by coming to campus.

"There are only so many times in one’s life when you can truly pick up and try something new for four years. In reading about the community of Grinnell, the academic rigor, and all the research opportunities open to any student, I started envisioning the type of person that I would become after four years at Grinnell and decided to take that leap of faith and apply Early Decision."