Head-to-head · 2026
Coe College vs Grinnell College
Compare average net price ($18,745 at Coe College; $17,648 at Grinnell College), ROI score (7.62 vs 8.90), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($57,125 vs $62,830), and admissions selectivity (64% acceptance at Coe College; 14.5% at Grinnell College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Coe College | Grinnell College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.62 | 8.90 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,745 | $17,648 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,980 | $70,592 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $54,666 | $68,106 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $54,666 | $68,106 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $57,125 | $62,830 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 64% | 14.5% |
| Graduation rate | 65.9% | 88.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 72.7% | 92.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $17,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,164 | 1,729 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1223 | 1486 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Coe College | Grinnell College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,479 | $9,970 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,523 | $7,789 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,475 | $9,669 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,223 | $19,348 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,167 ✓ | $37,725 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Coe College | Grinnell College |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 8.9% | 7.2% |
| Economics | 4.3% | 8.2% |
| Computer Science | 2.5% | 10% |
| Mathematics | 2.3% | 8.6% |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 0.9% | 8.6% |
| Political Science and Government | 1.8% | 6.8% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 3% | 5.4% |
| Physics | 4.1% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Grinnell College reports the lower average net price by $1,097 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,388 difference over four years ($70,592 vs $74,980).
Grinnell College reports $5,705 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,830 vs $57,125). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.7% at Coe College and 92.6% at Grinnell College. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $17,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Coe College vs Grinnell College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Grinnell College is cheaper — average net price $17,648 per year vs $18,745 at Coe College. The annual difference of $1,097 adds up to about $4,388 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Grinnell College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,830 vs $57,125 at Coe College. The gap in the federal data is $5,705. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Grinnell College is more selective at 14.5% acceptance vs 64% at Coe College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.