Grinnell College is a highly selective liberal arts college in Iowa with one of the largest per-student endowments in the nation, enabling generous financial aid and extensive academic resources. Its Open Curriculum, strong social justice tradition, and emphasis on self-governance give students unusual freedom to shape their own education.
Mascot: Pioneer
Notable Alumni
Robert Noyce (co-founder of Intel)•Gary Cooper (two-time Oscar-winning actor)•Herbie Hancock (legendary jazz musician)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Grinnell's self-governance philosophy means students are trusted to manage themselves, which creates a uniquely libertarian-progressive campus culture in the middle of Iowa cornfields. There are no distribution requirements (only a mandatory first-year tutorial), and the culture is intensely intellectual but collaborative. The social justice commitment is woven into daily life, not just lip service, and the tight-knit campus produces surprisingly deep friendships despite its rural isolation.
A compact, well-maintained campus in small-town Iowa mixing historic brick buildings with bold modern additions like the Noyce Science Center, pleasant but surrounded by flat agricultural landscape.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Low on-campus crime with only a handful of criminal offenses reported annually. Campus Safety operates 24/7 with increased weekend staffing and late-night transportation.
Grinnell is a small, safe Iowa prairie town of about 9,000 people with crime rates well below state and national averages.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays during the academic year; Junior Visit Days run Feb-March; Discover Grinnell open houses in fall
Duration: ~60 minutes tour, plus information session
Visits can include an info session, student-led tour, dining hall meal, and optional interview. The campus is extremely walkable -- all academic buildings are minutes from the residence halls.
Book a TourThe compact campus is easy to walk independently. The Grinnell College Museum of Art (free admission) and the Faulconer Gallery are open to walk-in visitors.
Tour ResourcesSeptember-October for pleasant weather and active campus. April for admitted student events. Grinnell is midway between Des Moines and Iowa City on I-80, so combine with visits to either city. Avoid November-February when Iowa winters are harsh and the small town can feel very quiet.
Free visitor parking on campus near the Admissions building at 8th Ave and Park St. Des Moines Airport (DSM) is about 60 minutes west via I-80 (Exit 182). No public transit or reliable rideshare in Grinnell -- a rental car is essential. Taxi from DSM runs ~$125.
Location
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