Grinnell College
Grinnell College SAT and ACT Requirements
Grinnell College is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1410 to 1540 on the SAT and 31 to 34 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1410–1540
ACT middle 50%
31–34
Acceptance rate
15%
Grinnell College SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 700 | 750 |
| Math | 710 | 790 |
| Total | 1410 | 1540 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 34 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1410: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1410 to 1540: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1540: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Grinnell College require the SAT or ACT?
Grinnell College is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Test-optional: 'Grinnell does not require any first-year student to submit SAT or ACT scores.' Some international applicants must still submit English-proficiency scores. Applicants must indicate whether they will submit a score by their application deadline.
What SAT score do you need for Grinnell College?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1410, half scored between 1410 and 1540, and a quarter scored above 1540. A score at or above 1540 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1410 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Grinnell College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 31 to 34 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1400 to 1500.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: Grinnell College admissions, verified for 2026-27.
