Head-to-head comparison
Bates College vs. Grinnell College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Bates or Grinnell harder to get into?
Bates is harder to get into than Grinnell. Bates's 13.3% acceptance rate is lower than Grinnell's 14.5%.
Which is cheaper, Bates or Grinnell?
Grinnell costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Grinnell's average net price is $17,648 vs $29,351 at Bates.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Bates graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $69,498 at Bates and $62,830 at Grinnell.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Bates | Grinnell |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.3% | 14.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1420–1530 | 1410–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 31–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,532 | $83,440 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,351 | $17,648 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,760 | 1,729 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.7% | 88.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $69,498 | $62,830 |
| Setting | Lewiston, Maine | Grinnell, Iowa |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Bates is modestly harder to get into. The 1.2-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Grinnell is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $11,703 per year, $46,812 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Bates is in Lewiston, Maine; Grinnell is in Grinnell, Iowa. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Grinnell has a more international student body (21.0% non-resident students vs 9.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Bates is 51.8% women, 9.8% international, and 6.6% Asian-American. Grinnell is 54.4% women, 21.0% international, and 9.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Bates | Grinnell |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.8% | 54.4% |
| International | 9.8% | 21.0% |
| White | 60.2% | 48.4% |
| Asian | 6.6% | 9.7% |
| Hispanic | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Black | 4.5% | 4.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Bates vs. Grinnell?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Bates if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($69,498 vs $62,830)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its Short Term May program
Pick Grinnell if
- Your odds are realistic at Grinnell (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Grinnell costs $11,703 less per year on average
- its open curriculum with a single first-year tutorial
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Bates College
13.3% accept · Lewiston, Maine
Full profile
Grinnell College
14.5% accept · Grinnell, Iowa
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.