Student walking in front of ARH in spring

Rankings

We think that our story speaks for itself. But it’s also nice to hear what others have said about us.

Grinnell is among the very best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Because, well, we’ve got a lot to offer. However, there’s a lot more to the story. And like the cover of a book, you can’t completely judge a college based on one number. So be sure to check out multiple rankings and sources. Look for a school that gets high marks in the categories that matter to you. Then, narrow your field from there.

Best Liberal Arts College

A
Niche Overall Grade
#9
Best Colleges with No Application Fee, Niche
#19
Nation's Best Liberal Arts Colleges, U.S. News & World Report

Best Academics

“The overall sense is that ‘the students are smart, professors outstanding, and the administration does a good job of bringing the world to Grinnell.’” — Princeton Review

#5
Best Classroom Experience, Princeton Review
#9
Best Undergraduate Teaching, U.S. News & World Report
#9
Research, Washington Monthly

Best Value

“Grinnell scores well when it comes to affordability. The net price of a degree comes in at around $166,000 (not factoring in any federal or state aid), but students from low- and middle-income families pay much less than that.” — Money Magazine

#8
Best Colleges for Financial Aid, CNBC
#9
Best Value, U.S. News & World Report
#17
Great Schools for Financial Aid, Princeton Review

Best Students

“As this student concludes, ‘My favorite thing about the Grinnell student body is inclusivity. I never feel like I am not welcome at an event, and while social groups exist, nothing has ever been cliquey or exclusive to me.’” — Princeton Review

A+
Diversity, Niche
#7
Most Politically Active Students, Princeton Review
#8
Most International, U.S. News & World Report

Keep in mind where those numbers come from.

It’s your college experience and your perspective. So know that what you’re looking for may vary greatly from what your peers are seeking. Sometimes, the ratings can give a skewed picture. For example, a school that emphasizes public service could be ranked relatively low in alumni giving. Or a school with many adult students who come and go might be penalized for low graduation rates. However, rankings can be very helpful. You can see how Grinnell nets out with some of the most-used rankings.

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