Willamette University vs Grinnell College
Willamette University and Grinnell College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Willamette, located in Salem, Oregon, boasts a higher acceptance rate (69%) compared to Grinnell's selective 28%. With a larger student body, Willamette fosters a diverse community, while Grinnell's smaller size cultivates a close-knit atmosphere. Both institutions excel in academics, with popular majors ranging from biology and psychology to economics and political science. While Grinnell's graduation rate slightly edges out Willamette's, both colleges ensure their students are well-prepared for their post-graduate endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Grinnell College |
![]() Willamette University |
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Overview |
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Location | Grinnell, Iowa | Salem, Oregon |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 10.5% | 79.6% |
Application fees | ||
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 | 3,680 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,108 | 2,930 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 471 | 260 |
Yield rate | 42.5% | 8.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | 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 | $60,106 |
Average net price | $37,423 | $37,400 |
Tuition | $58,156 | $43,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,779
Meal plan:
$7,572
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Room/dormitory:
$7,150
Meal plan:
$6,650
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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 |
99.0%
Average amount $30,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $3,952 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,145 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $5,903 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,973 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,748
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
1,236
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Graduate students | N/A |
549
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 91.5% | N/A |
International students | 19.4% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,450 | 1,228 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.9% | 72.0% |
Dropout rate | 12.9% | 28.0% |
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)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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