Grinnell Earns Recognition for Innovation, Teaching, and Value
Grinnell College continues to earn national recognition for its academic excellence, commitment to student success, and innovative teaching. Recent national rankings reflect steady progress across areas that matter most to students and families—academic quality, value, and social mobility.
Grinnell advanced in several areas in the 2025–26 U.S. News & World Report rankings of National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Key Highlights of the U.S. News & World Report Rankings
- #13 overall in the ranking of National Liberal Arts Colleges, moving up six places with peers noting especially strong gains in innovation, undergraduate teaching, and value.
- #3 in Undergraduate Teaching, up from #9 last year.
- #13 in Most Innovative Schools, a jump of 20 spots.
- #8 in Best Value Schools, reflecting Grinnell’s commitment to affordability and access.
- #19 Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects in the first year of this ranking, affirming Grinnell’s focus on experiential learning.
In the 2025 Washington Monthly College Rankings, Grinnell is ranked #25 among liberal arts colleges, moving up 11 ranks. Washington Monthly rankings reflect the College’s strong outcomes for student success and contributions to the public good.
Additional recognition includes strong marks for first-year experiences, economics, and computer science programs. On the Niche college review platform, Grinnell earned an A+ for Academics, an A+ for Diversity, and an A overall, further reflecting the College’s distinctive strengths.
A Closer Look at Progress
Much of the recent improvement stems from Grinnell’s strong graduation rates for Pell-eligible students, as well as outperforming U.S. News’ predictive model for graduation rates.
Looking Ahead
Grinnell’s achievements reinforce its long-standing mission: combining academic excellence with a commitment to access, positive change, and social responsibility.
“These recognitions underscore Grinnell’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and college access,” said Grinnell College President Anne F. Harris. “Our progress in areas like innovation, teaching, and social mobility reflects the strength of a Grinnell education—one that combines vibrant intellectual experience with campus community support, preparing our students to thrive and deepening our investment in every student’s success.”