
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, founded in 1846. It has a student body of nearly 1,800 and is known for its academic rigour and diverse student population. Grinnell College attracts students from across the globe, with a significant number of international students. The college's campus spans 120 acres and includes several historic buildings. Grinnell offers individually advised learning with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and over 500 course offerings. The college is committed to social responsibility, cultural awareness, and mutual respect, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated. In 2020, Grinnell was home to approximately 93 Chinese students and 36 Indian students, with a growing trend of international enrolment over the years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students | 19% of the student population, or approximately 337 students (based on an undergraduate population of nearly 1,800) |
| Number of countries represented | 60 countries, or 85+ |
| Number of languages spoken | More than 70 |
| Number of international students from India | 36 |
| Number of international students from China | 93 |
| College Factual ranking for providing a quality educational experience to international students | 125th out of 1,232 colleges and universities |
| College Factual ranking for providing a quality educational experience to Indian students | 141st out of 662 colleges and universities |
| College Factual ranking for popularity with students from China | 302nd out of 1,079 colleges and universities |
| College Factual ranking for popularity with students from India | 347th out of 999 colleges and universities |
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Grinnell College's international student population
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. It was founded in 1846 and has a campus size of 120 acres. The college is committed to contributing to the common good and is ranked among the nation's best liberal arts colleges. Grinnell College provides individually advised learning for intellectually motivated students. The college fosters social responsibility, cultural awareness, and mutual respect, attracting students from diverse backgrounds.
Grinnell College has a notable international student population, with 19% of its students coming from outside the United States. On campus, you can hear more than 70 languages spoken by students from every state and over 60 countries, with some sources citing 85+ countries. This diversity enriches the college experience and contributes to a global perspective on campus.
Grinnell College is known for its economic diversity, attracting students from various financial backgrounds. The college offers a significant amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, with 86% of students receiving some form of financial aid during the 2020-2021 academic year. This accessibility has resulted in a relatively large number of international students choosing Grinnell College.
The college's international student population is not limited to any specific countries, but it has seen a notable number of students from China, India, and Nepal, among others. Grinnell College is ranked highly for providing a quality educational experience to international students, especially those from Japan, Nepal, and Vietnam.
The college offers a wide range of academic opportunities, with over 500 course offerings and degrees in various fields. International students at Grinnell College are particularly interested in Liberal Arts General Studies, Economics, and Computer Science. The college's open curriculum allows students to take initiative and choose their courses with guidance, fostering a unique educational journey.
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The college's reputation for international students
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, that was founded in 1846. The college has a reputation for being accessible to international students and US students of colour from low-income and middle-income families. In a 2014 study, Grinnell College was found to have the second most economically diverse student body out of US colleges with high four-year graduation rates, surpassed only by Vassar College.
Grinnell College is also one of a few dozen US colleges that maintain need-blind admissions and meet the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted US residents. In 2020-2021, 86% of students received some form of financial aid, with the average package totalling over $51,770. The college also provides funding for unpaid or underpaid summer internships and professional development. This makes Grinnell College an attractive option for international students, who made up 19% of the student body in 2023.
The college's open curriculum encourages students to take initiative and choose their own courses of study, with individually advised learning for the intellectually motivated. This approach has resulted in Grinnell College being ranked 125th out of 1,232 colleges for providing a quality educational experience to international students. The college is particularly popular with students from Japan, Nepal, and Vietnam, and is ranked as the best option for students from these countries.
The college's 120-acre campus includes several historic buildings and has a tight-knit community of nearly 1,800 students. Grinnell College is known for its social activism, with a fun-loving, open-minded, smart, and hard-working student body. The college's varsity sports teams are named the Pioneers and participate in eighteen intercollegiate sports at the NCAA Division III level.
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International student visas
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. The college is known for its diverse student body, with students representing nearly all 50 states and 60 countries. Approximately 19% of the students are from outside the U.S.
For international students wishing to attend Grinnell College, there are a number of visa requirements and resources available. Here is some detailed information about international student visas at Grinnell College:
- International students at Grinnell College are supported by the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA). The OISA provides guidance on visa limitations and benefits, with staff who are certified Designated School Officials (DSOs) and fluent in F and J visa regulations. They also offer regular information sessions, individual advising appointments, and advising handouts.
- Most international students at Grinnell College will seek an F-1 student visa. This visa allows students to work on campus for up to eight hours per week during the academic year, earning up to $3,150. However, employment off-campus is strictly prohibited under the terms of the F-1 visa.
- To obtain an F-1 visa, international students must first complete the I-20 Request Form, providing biographic data, a scan of their passport, and financial information. This initiates the process of obtaining the Form I-20, which is required to schedule a visa appointment at a U.S. consulate.
- Canadian citizens attending Grinnell College do not need a visa, but they must still secure an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee.
- Grinnell College also works individually with international students who are already in the U.S. to determine the appropriate next steps for their unique situations.
- International students at Grinnell College have access to various co-curricular activities and resources. Need-based aid is available for off-campus study, and grant funding is offered for internships worldwide. Additionally, F-1 students have access to Practical Training benefits.
- Grinnell College offers an International Pre-Orientation Program (IPOP) specifically for new international students. IPOP focuses on immigration regulations and cultural transitions, helping international students navigate the required documentation and adjust to life on campus and in the local community.
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Popularity among Indian students
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. It was founded in 1846 and has a campus of 120 acres. Grinnell College is consistently ranked among the nation's best liberal arts colleges. The college offers individually advised learning for intellectually motivated students. The college's curriculum has only one required course for all students, the First-Year Tutorial, which focuses on methods of inquiry, critical analysis, and writing skills. The rest of the courses are chosen by the students with the guidance of a faculty member. Grinnell College has a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, over 500 course offerings each year, and degrees in 28 fields with 17 concentrations.
In terms of popularity among Indian students, Grinnell College ranks 347th out of 999 colleges and universities in the United States. In 2020, Grinnell College was home to approximately 36 Indian students. This data suggests that Grinnell is a relatively popular choice for Indian students looking to study in the US. The college's commitment to social responsibility, cultural awareness, and mutual respect may be attractive to Indian students who value diversity and a global perspective.
Grinnell College is known for its economic diversity, with a significant number of students from low-income and middle-income families. The college offers a large amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, with 86% of students receiving some form of financial aid. This commitment to accessibility may be particularly appealing to Indian students who require financial support to pursue their educational goals.
The college also provides funding for unpaid or underpaid summer internships and professional development opportunities, enhancing the overall value of the educational experience for Indian students. Additionally, Grinnell College has a "tight-knit community" and a range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and intramural sports that foster a well-rounded student experience. The college's academic rigor and dedicated professors create a supportive environment for students to excel and build strong relationships.
In summary, Grinnell College's strong academic reputation, commitment to accessibility and diversity, and focus on holistic student development likely contribute to its popularity among Indian students seeking a well-rounded and culturally enriching educational journey.
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Chinese students at Grinnell
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. It was founded in 1846 and has a campus of 120 acres. Grinnell has a diverse student body, with students from nearly all 50 states and 60 countries. 19% of its students are from outside the US, and 24% identify as people of colour.
Grinnell College offers a major in Chinese, as well as an East Asian Studies concentration. The college's curriculum includes four years of Chinese study and three years of Japanese study. Students can also participate in off-campus study in China, Japan, or Taiwan as part of the East Asian Studies concentration. The college has a rich history of producing recipients of prestigious postgraduate fellowships and awards.
One of the unique courses offered at Grinnell is a stand-alone course devoted to Chinese web fiction, developed by Professor Jin Feng. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research, helping students develop creative and critical thinking skills.
Grinnell College is known for its economic diversity, attracting students from low- and middle-income families. The college offers a significant amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, with 86% of students receiving some form of financial aid.
Overall, Grinnell College provides a diverse and inclusive environment for international students, with a focus on cultural awareness and social responsibility. The college's commitment to accessibility and academic excellence makes it a attractive option for students from around the world, including those from China.
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Frequently asked questions
Grinnell College has around 1,800 undergraduate students, 19% of whom are international. This equates to approximately 342 international students.
Grinnell College students come from 60 countries according to one source, while another source states that students come from 85+ countries.
Over 70 languages are spoken by students at Grinnell College.
Grinnell College is unusual for a selective school based in a small town for attracting a relatively large number of international students. In a 2014 study, Grinnell was found to be second only to Vassar College in terms of economic diversity, indicating its accessibility to students from low- and middle-income families.











































