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Bates College vs Grinnell College

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate14.8%14.5%
Early decision rate33.5%34.2%
SAT middle 50%1325–15101430–1520
ACT middle 50%31–3431–34
Applicant reports on our site5598

Cost and aid

Tuition$73,760$71,788
Food and housing$20,800$17,348
Sticker price per year$95,035$89,694
Average need-based grant$59,701$64,543
Average % of need met100%100%

Outcomes

First-year retention92%93%
6-year graduation rate89%88%
Undergraduates1,7361,788

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

Bates College or Grinnell College?

Is Bates College harder to get into than Grinnell College?

They are about equally selective: Bates College admitted 14.8% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and Grinnell College admitted 14.5% (2024-25).

What SAT scores do Bates College and Grinnell College students have?

The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1325–1510 at Bates College and 1430–1520 at Grinnell College.

Which is cheaper, Bates College or Grinnell College?

Before aid, Grinnell College costs about $89,694 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $95,035 at Bates College (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $59,701 at Bates College and $64,543 at Grinnell College.

Does Bates College or Grinnell College have a higher graduation rate?

89% of Bates College students graduate within six years, compared with 88% at Grinnell College.

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