Grinnell, IA · Private University
Is Grinnell College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,830
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,862
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,862
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,448
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.97x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
87.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,608
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Grinnell College graduates earn $17,830 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Grinnell College ranked by graduate earnings
46 graduates
25 graduates
22 graduates
44 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Grinnell College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Grinnell College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $106,113) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $20,111) is $86,002/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $106,113 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $67,691 | 1.0x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $56,764 | 0.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,522 | 0.8x |
| History | $50,567 | 0.8x |
| Sociology | $50,389 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $48,846 | 0.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,618 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $28,507 | 0.4x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $20,111 | 0.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell College | 0.97x | $62,830 | Below Average |
| Carleton College | 1.15x | $75,525 | Average ROI |
| Vassar College | 1.05x | $71,366 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Colorado College | 0.96x | $65,222 | Below Average |
| Denison University | 1.06x | $67,753 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Grinnell College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $62,830 10 years after starting — $17,830 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.