Clarke University vs Grinnell College
Clarke University and Grinnell College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clarke University, a private Catholic university in Dubuque, Iowa, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body of over 1,400 undergraduates. Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 20% and a smaller undergraduate population of around 1,700. While Clarke University excels in nursing, education, and business programs, Grinnell College is renowned for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Both institutions offer a supportive learning environment and encourage students to engage in extracurricular activities, but their unique characteristics may appeal to different individuals. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Clarke University |
![]() Grinnell College |
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Overview |
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Location | Dubuque, Iowa | Grinnell, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 93.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.8% | 10.5% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 900 - 1120 | 1370 - 1530 |
ACT range | 19 - 23 | 30 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 33.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,006 | 10,513 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,781 | 1,108 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 183 | 471 |
Yield rate | 10.3% | 42.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,241 | $76,098 |
Average net price | $25,414 | $37,423 |
Tuition | $35,740 | $58,156 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,900
Meal plan:
$5,500
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Room/dormitory:
$6,779
Meal plan:
$7,572
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Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,968 |
100.0%
Average amount $35,821 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $8,599 |
36.0%
Average amount $3,952 |
Students taking out private loans |
27.0%
Average amount $12,203 |
12.0%
Average amount $5,903 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
717
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
1,748
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
Graduate students |
171
Men 22.2% Women 77.8% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 91.5% |
International students | 4.6% | 19.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 536 | 1,450 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Illinois Iowa Minnesota Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.5% | 86.9% |
Dropout rate | 6.2% | 12.9% |
Transferred out | 39.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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