What is Grinnell College ranked?

Grinnell College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges nationally, recognized by U.S. News & World Report, often placing within the top 15-20 for National Liberal Arts Colleges, and earning high marks for Undergraduate Teaching, Innovation, and Value, alongside strong ratings from sources like Niche and Princeton Review for academics and financial aid.

Is Grinnell College a top school?

Yes, Grinnell College is consistently ranked as a top-tier liberal arts college in the U.S., known for academic excellence, innovative teaching, and strong value, frequently appearing in the top 15-20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and other publications, though rankings can fluctuate slightly year to year. It's considered a highly selective institution, placing it among prestigious peers like Williams and Amherst but often considered a step below those top-tier names, while still a leader in its category. 

Is Grinnell College a little ivy?

Yes, Grinnell College is widely considered a "Little Ivy" or Hidden Ivy due to its high academic standards, selective admissions, and strong reputation for undergraduate education, comparable to top-tier liberal arts colleges even though it's in Iowa. It's often mentioned alongside schools like Carleton and Middlebury as a prestigious institution offering an Ivy-level experience outside the Northeast. 

What are the top 5 CS schools?

1. Stanford University

• Stanford University. At the top of our list of the best computer science schools is Stanford. ...
• Carnegie Mellon University. ...
• Georgia Institute of Technology. ...
• University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. ...
• University of California—Los Angeles.
• University of California–San Diego.

Why is Grinnell so hard to get into?

Grinnell College is hard to get into due to its high selectivity, very competitive applicant pool with near-perfect GPAs (around 3.99 average) and strong test scores (around 1450 SAT/32 ACT), and holistic review that favors students excelling in rigorous coursework (AP/IB) and demonstrating strong engagement outside of class, all within a small college setting with limited spots. Strong essays and recommendations are crucial to stand out among many academically exceptional students. 

Grinnell College is better than Harvard University

What are the top 3 hardest colleges to get into?

What is the #1 hardest school to get into? Harvard University, with a ~3% acceptance rate, remains the hardest college in 2025. Stanford and MIT follow closely, with Yale and Princeton rounding out the top five.

What kind of students attend Grinnell?

Our Students

Grinnellians represent nearly all 50 states and 60 countries. 24% identify as people of color, and 19% of our students come from outside of the U.S. More than half of students will study off campus.

What is the hardest college for CS?

Top 3 Hardest Ivy League Schools to Get Into for Computer Science

• Harvard University — Cambridge, MA. Overall Acceptance Rate: ~3.7% Early Action Rate: ~8.7% ...
• Columbia University — New York City, NY. Overall Acceptance Rate: ~4.3% ED Rate: ~12% ...
• Yale University — New Haven, CT. Overall Acceptance Rate: ~4.6%

Can a lower-ranked college be a better fit?

While these rankings can provide some insights, it's crucial to remember that the best college for you isn't necessarily the highest-ranked one. Instead of fixating on numbers, focus on finding a school that aligns with your personal goals, learning style, and career aspirations.

What is Warren Buffett's connection to Grinnell College?

Legendary investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, serves on the Grinnell Board of Trustees in the 1970s. His investment expertise helps build the College's investments and endowment.

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

What is Grinnell College known for?

Grinnell College is known for its rigorous liberal arts education, emphasis on social responsibility, innovative inquiry-based curriculum (the "individualized curriculum"), and strong focus on undergraduate teaching, offering a challenging yet supportive environment in a small-town setting. It's recognized for producing successful graduates who often pursue advanced degrees and careers in various fields, benefiting from strong faculty mentorship, ample research/internship funding, and a commitment to diversity and accessibility.
 

Is Grinnell College elite?

Yes, Grinnell College is considered an elite liberal arts college, consistently ranked among the nation's best for its rigorous academics, selective admissions, and strong outcomes, often appearing in the top tiers of U.S. News & World Report and other rankings for teaching quality, value, and social mobility, despite being in a small Iowa town. Its elite status stems from high academic standards, a history of producing PhDs, and a reputation for providing exceptional undergraduate education, often compared to "Hidden Ivies".
 

What famous people went to Grinnell?

Notable alumni include:

• Emily Bergl, 1997, actress and singer.
• Thomas Cech, 1970, co-winner of 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, president of Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
• Florin Cîțu, 1996, Prime Minister of Romania (2020–2021)
• Mary Sue Coleman, 1965, president of the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan.

Which Ivies are best for CS?

While all Ivies offer strong CS, Cornell and Princeton are frequently cited as top contenders for their rigorous, innovative programs and resources (like Cornell Tech), often followed closely by Harvard, but the "best" depends on your focus (theory vs. applied), with CMU, Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley often ranking above Ivies overall for CS.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is 60% at uni a 2:1?

Yes, 60% at a UK university is generally the start of an Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) degree, which is the second-highest classification and a very respectable achievement, typically ranging from 60% to 69%. While 60% is the minimum for a 2:1, some universities might have slightly different cutoffs or allow for borderline cases, so always check your specific university's regulations. 

What is the #1 college in the USA?

There isn't one single "number 1" college, as rankings vary by publication, but Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top, often trading the #1 spot in different major lists for 2026, alongside strong showings from Harvard, Stanford, Yale. U.S. News ranks Princeton #1 for National Universities, while Forbes and Niche often place MIT first, and Times Higher Education also highlights MIT and Princeton highly. 

Why are so many CS majors unemployed?

The biggest reason companies do not consider CS graduates to fill job openings is their lack of real-time practical experience. IT employers take 50% longer to hire a candidate than other recruiters as they want highly-qualified developers with exceptional coding skills.

Which CS has the highest salary?

The highest salaries in Computer Science (CS) go to specialized roles like AI/Machine Learning Engineers, Software Architects, and senior positions in Data Science, with top earners potentially exceeding $200,000-$300,000+ annually, especially in big tech or high-demand areas like cloud security and specialized AI. While averages vary, roles such as AI/ML Engineer ($170k+), Software Architect ($140k+), and Data Scientist (often $120k+) consistently rank high, with significant potential for even greater earnings in leadership or niche roles. 

Is Grinnell worth it?

Yes. Thanks to a no-loan financial aid policy and individualized advising, our students graduate with less debt and more direction. And their return on investment is clear, as Grinnellians are hired into impactful jobs and admitted to the world's top graduate school programs.

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While difficulty is subjective, Medicine, Engineering (especially Chemical/Aerospace), and Physics/Chemistry consistently rank as the top hardest majors due to intense coursework, demanding problem-solving, heavy memorization, and complex analytical skills, often leading to very low average GPAs and extensive study hours. Other contenders often cited include Architecture, Neuroscience, and Computer Science. 

What are the benefits of Grinnell College?

The topics covered include holidays, vacation, health insurance, dental insurance, optional vision insurance, life insurance, optional supplemental life insurance, travel/accident insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement plan, relocation allowance, educational benefits, Employee Assistance Program, ...