Grinnell’s Strengths Earn National Recognition
National rankings highlight Grinnell’s distinctive approach to teaching, value, innovation, and the student experience.
Curiosity takes many forms at Grinnell College — in the questions students pursue, the ideas they explore with faculty and classmates, and the paths they create for themselves. That distinctive approach to learning continues to earn national recognition.
In the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, Grinnell is ranked #16 among National Liberal Arts Colleges, and #13 among Top Private Schools, placing it among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions. Grinnell also earned recognition in several areas that reflect important elements of the student experience:
#6 — Best Undergraduate Teaching
#8 — Best Value Schools
#11 — Most International
#20 — Most Innovative Schools
The recognition for undergraduate teaching reflects a defining feature of a Grinnell education: close relationships between students and faculty. Through small classes, individualized advising, collaborative learning, and opportunities for research and creative work, students are encouraged to take ownership of their education and pursue the questions and experiences that matter most to them.
Grinnell’s #8 Best Value ranking also reflects the College’s commitment to making a rigorous liberal arts education accessible. Grinnell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and provides students with resources and opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Recognition Across National College Guides
Other national college guides also recognize Grinnell for academics, financial aid, and the student experience.
Niche.com gives Grinnell an A overall, with A+ grades for academics and diversity and an A for professors.
The Princeton Review ranks Grinnell at #3 in its Top 20 Best Schools for Financial Aid among private colleges category, and places Grinnell #22 on its LGBTQ-friendly list. Grinnell is also included on The Princeton Review's Financial Aid Honor Roll, which recognizes institutions receiving its highest possible financial aid rating.
Each ranking organization uses its own methodology, and no single ranking can capture the full experience of a college or its students. Together, however, these recognitions highlight many of the qualities that shape a Grinnell education: curious students, dedicated faculty, personalized learning, access to opportunity, and a community where ideas and perspectives come together.
At Grinnell, your questions are just the beginning. Here, you’ll find the freedom to follow your curiosity, people to explore it with, and opportunities to discover where it can take you.