Grinnell College vs Knox College
Grinnell College and Knox College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Grinnell, known for its rigorous academics and vibrant campus culture, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 20%. Knox, while equally committed to academic excellence, maintains a slightly more accessible admissions policy, with an acceptance rate of 65%. While Grinnell's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 15% of the population, Knox's student body is predominantly domestic. Both colleges offer a wide range of majors, with popular choices at Grinnell including social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities, while Knox students often pursue majors in the social sciences, biological sciences, and business. With graduation rates of 88% and 79% respectively, both institutions are dedicated to ensuring student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences
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![]() Grinnell College |
![]() Knox College |
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Overview |
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Location | Grinnell, Iowa | Galesburg, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 10.5% | 70.2% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1370 - 1530 | 1150 - 1380 |
ACT range | 30 - 34 | 24 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 41.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | 20.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,513 | 3,061 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,108 | 2,150 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 471 | 270 |
Yield rate | 42.5% | 12.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $76,098 | $63,997 |
Average net price | $37,423 | $25,476 |
Tuition | $58,156 | $50,784 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,779
Meal plan:
$7,572
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Room/dormitory:
$5,040
Meal plan:
$5,181
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $35,821 |
100.0%
Average amount $36,738 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $3,952 |
67.0%
Average amount $6,454 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $5,903 |
8.0%
Average amount $15,133 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,748
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
1,156
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 91.5% | 59.7% |
International students | 19.4% | 15.9% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,450 | 1,156 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Illinois Iowa Minnesota Texas | Illinois California Missouri Indiana Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.9% | 75.1% |
Dropout rate | 12.9% | 6.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 18.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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