From here, the great go forth.
Founded in 1846, we’re 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, define new directions, and follow their passions across the world. We call ourselves Grinnellians.
Grinnell at a Glance
What Grinnell is about, what you can find on campus, what sort of people make up the student body, and what they go on to do after Grinnell.
Mission and Values
Quirky. Curious. Particular in our pursuit and quick to question with what we find. Grinnell is home to a collective of individuals whose minds and hearts are wide open to new people, new ideas, and new possibilities. Each of us claims the Grinnellian name with our personal expression, but we’re all grounded by what we’re here to do: learn.
Rankings
Faculty who are devoted mentors and expert researchers. An inquiry-based curriculum and a globally informed community. Scholars who collaborate to work toward the greater good. When your collective story is made up of people who prefer to write their own, it’s no surprise that we stand out.
A place defined by its people.
No two Grinnellians are the same. But something brings us all together here, and keeps us rooted to this place, no matter how far we journey. Maybe it’s how our community embraces you for who you are. Or maybe it’s how we empower you to take part in shaping who we are as well.
Leadership & Administration
Position doesn’t take precedence.
Our leadership style reflects the kind of leaders we want to see in the world. Town-hall meetings and community hours bring together students, faculty, and administrators to discuss issues of purpose, responsibility, and justice. It’s just one of the ways our students become active and vocal citizens, both here on campus and beyond.
GRINNELL SOCIAL INNOVATOR IN RESIDENCE
We celebrate individuals anywhere who better our world.
The Grinnell College Social Innovator in Residence honors individuals who are leading social change with responsibility, commitment, and creativity — bettering the world in a way we recognize as Grinnellian. We’re proud to give them the recognition they deserve.
GRINNELL COLLEGE NATIONAL POLL
Taking the temperature of the heated discussions of our time.
Grinnell is a place where honest conversations happen and differing opinions collide. But what happens when we launch an innovative study that documents the details? Well, it might just bring forth a fresh perspective and influence the national discourse.
Welcome to Grinnell, Iowa.
The prairieland may seem like an unexpected setting for bringing the world together. But look closer. You’ll uncover a unique mixture of environmental, economic, and political ecosystems. In fact, one visit to our vibrant, progressive college town will call into question everything you think you know about Iowa.
EXPLORE THE CAMPUS
Accreditation
We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our last Comprehensive Evaluation was in 2018-19. We successfully completed the Year 4 Assurance Review in June 2023. Our next Comprehensive Evaluation will be in 2028–29.
Questions about our accreditation can be directed to our Accreditation Liaison Officer, Cynthia Hansen, Associate Dean for Student Academic Life or our Accreditation Data Update Coordinator, Carlie VanWilligen, Director of Institutional Research.