Grinnell College vs Berkeley
Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Grinnell College, a liberal arts institution, stands in stark contrast to the bustling University of California-Berkeley, a public research university located in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California. While both institutions offer a world-class education, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. With Grinnell's highly selective admissions process and Berkeley's renowned reputation in STEM fields, the choice between these two esteemed universities hinges on individual preferences and academic aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your unique educational goals and aspirations.
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![]() Grinnell College |
![]() University of California-Berkeley |
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Overview |
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Location | Grinnell, Iowa | Berkeley, California |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 10.5% | 14.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | 1370 - 1530 | N/A |
ACT range | 30 - 34 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 10,513 | 112,843 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,108 | 16,295 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 471 | 6,931 |
Yield rate | 42.5% | 42.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not 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 |
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
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Average net price | $37,423 | $17,652 |
Tuition | $58,156 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,779
Meal plan:
$7,572
|
$20,236 |
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 |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $3,952 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $5,903 |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,748
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students | N/A |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 91.5% | 16.9% |
International students | 19.4% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,450 | 9,630 |
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 | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.9% | 92.8% |
Dropout rate | 12.9% | 6.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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