Washington and Lee vs Grinnell College

Washington and Lee University and Grinnell College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington and Lee, nestled in the historic town of Lexington, Virginia, boasts a lower acceptance rate (18%) compared to Grinnell's 28%. With a larger student body, Washington and Lee provides a diverse range of majors, including popular choices like business and economics, while Grinnell's smaller size fosters a close-knit community and emphasizes interdisciplinary studies. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Washington and Lee at 91% and Grinnell at 89%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Grinnell College	Washington and Lee University
Overview
Location	Grinnell, Iowa	Lexington, Virginia
Campus setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	10.5%	18.8%
Application fees		$60
SAT range	1370 - 1530	1410 - 1530
ACT range	30 - 34	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	33.0%	32.0%
Total number of applicants	10,513	6,621
Total number of admissions given out	1,108	1,248
Admitted students who chose to enroll	471	484
Yield rate	42.5%	38.8%
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	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,098	$80,300
Average net price	$37,423	$26,063
Tuition	$58,156	$58,260
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,779 Meal plan: $7,572	Room/dormitory: $8,600 Meal plan: $7,670
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $35,821	56.0% Average amount $51,537
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $3,952	13.0% Average amount $4,878
Students taking out private loans	12.0% Average amount $5,903	6.0% Average amount $25,474

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,748 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%	1,857 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	N/A	381 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	81.2%
International students	19.4%	5.0%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	1,450	1,520
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Illinois Iowa Minnesota Texas	Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Visual & Performing Arts Computer and Information Science	Legal Profession Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	93.6%
Dropout rate	12.9%	6.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,661 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $55,487 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,893 Year 2: $34,704 Year 3: $49,481 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,499 Year 2: $29,141 Year 3: $41,882 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,517 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $40,572 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: $37,882 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $21,508 Year 3: $37,613 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,718 Year 2: $19,227 Year 3: $29,237 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $20,140 Year 3: $28,680 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,658 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: N/A Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,239 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,231 Year 2: $56,641 Year 3: $85,103 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $63,586 Year 2: $72,642 Year 3: $83,304 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,449 Year 3: $79,551 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $69,951 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,643 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $68,713 Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $54,059 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,231 Year 2: $41,007 Year 3: $45,285 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,593 Year 3: N/A History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia, a small, historic town in the Shenandoah Valley. The campus has a traditional, Southern feel with beautiful architecture. Grinnell College, on the other hand, is situated in Grinnell, Iowa, a small, quintessential college town in the Midwest. Grinnell's campus has a more modern and eclectic architectural style.
How do Washington and Lee and Grinnell differ in their academic focus and strengths?

Washington and Lee is known for its strong undergraduate programs in law, business, journalism, and the liberal arts. It emphasizes pre-professional training alongside a classical liberal arts education. Grinnell College is a highly regarded liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on social sciences, humanities, and sciences. It's known for its open curriculum and focus on independent learning and research.
What are the key differences in the student body and campus culture at Washington and Lee versus Grinnell?

Washington and Lee tends to attract a student body that is more traditionally oriented, with a stronger emphasis on Greek life and Southern traditions. Grinnell College attracts a more diverse and politically active student body, with a strong emphasis on social justice and intellectual curiosity. Grinnell's campus culture is generally considered more progressive and less traditional than Washington and Lee's.
How do the financial aid policies and costs compare between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Both Washington and Lee and Grinnell offer comprehensive financial aid packages to meet demonstrated need. However, specific aid packages can vary based on individual circumstances. It's best to use the net price calculators on each college's website to get an estimate of your potential costs. Grinnell is known for its commitment to access and affordability, while Washington and Lee also has a strong endowment to support financial aid.
What are the differences in the curriculum and academic structure at Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Washington and Lee has a more structured curriculum with core requirements and a strong emphasis on the Honor System. Grinnell College offers a more open curriculum, allowing students to design their own course of study with faculty advising. Grinnell's 'Grinnell Plan' emphasizes self-governance and independent learning. Both institutions offer opportunities for research and study abroad.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Both Washington and Lee and Grinnell have strong career services departments that provide students with resources for internships, job searching, and career counseling. Washington and Lee's alumni network is particularly strong in the South and in fields like law and business. Grinnell's alumni network is more geographically diverse and strong in fields like academia, non-profits, and the arts.
What are the main similarities between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Both Washington and Lee and Grinnell are highly selective liberal arts colleges with a strong commitment to undergraduate education. They both offer small class sizes, close interaction with faculty, and opportunities for research and independent study. Both institutions also emphasize the development of critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
How do the athletic programs differ between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Washington and Lee competes in NCAA Division III athletics, with a strong emphasis on varsity sports and a wide range of athletic opportunities. Grinnell College also competes in NCAA Division III, but with a greater emphasis on participation and a less intense athletic culture. Grinnell is known for its 'Grinnell Pioneers' and its commitment to the Division III philosophy of balancing academics and athletics.
What are the opportunities for study abroad at Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Both Washington and Lee and Grinnell offer a variety of study abroad programs in numerous countries. Washington and Lee has its own programs and partnerships with other institutions. Grinnell also has a wide range of programs, often emphasizing immersive experiences and language acquisition. Students at both colleges can find programs that align with their academic interests and personal goals.
How does the social scene differ between Washington and Lee and Grinnell?

Washington and Lee's social scene is heavily influenced by Greek life, with a significant portion of the student body participating in fraternities and sororities. Grinnell's social scene is more diverse and less structured, with a greater emphasis on campus events, student organizations, and independent gatherings. Grinnell's social life tends to be more centered around intellectual and social activism.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Grinnell College

University of California-Berkeley