Head-to-head comparison
Grinnell College vs. Washington and Lee University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Grinnell or Washington & Lee harder to get into?
Washington & Lee is harder to get into than Grinnell. Washington & Lee's 14.0% acceptance rate is lower than Grinnell's 14.5%.
Which is cheaper, Grinnell or Washington & Lee?
Grinnell costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Grinnell's average net price is $17,648 vs $23,781 at Washington & Lee.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Washington & Lee graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $62,830 at Grinnell and $94,810 at Washington & Lee.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Grinnell | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 14.5% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1410–1540 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 33–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,440 | $87,000 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $17,648 | $23,781 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,729 | 1,881 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 88.1% | 93.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $62,830 | $94,810 |
| Setting | Grinnell, Iowa | Lexington, VA |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Grinnell's 14.5% acceptance rate and Washington & Lee's 14.0% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Grinnell is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,133 per year, $24,532 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Washington & Lee graduates earn $31,980 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Grinnell grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Grinnell is in Grinnell, Iowa; Washington & Lee is in Lexington, VA. 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 8.2%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Washington & Lee's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (93.9% vs 88.1% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Grinnell is 54.4% women, 21.0% international, and 9.7% Asian-American. Washington & Lee is 51.1% women, 8.2% international, and 4.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Grinnell | Washington & Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.4% | 51.1% |
| International | 21.0% | 8.2% |
| White | 48.4% | 68.0% |
| Asian | 9.7% | 4.7% |
| Hispanic | 8.7% | 8.6% |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Grinnell vs. Washington & Lee?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Grinnell if
- Your odds are realistic at Grinnell (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Grinnell costs $6,133 less per year on average
- its open curriculum with a single first-year tutorial
Pick Washington & Lee if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($94,810 vs $62,830)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Honor System
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
Grinnell College
14.5% accept · Grinnell, Iowa
Full profile
Washington and Lee University
14.0% accept · Lexington, VA
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.