Grinnell College vs University of North Carolina

Grinnell College is the more selective of the two at 15%, versus 15% at University of North Carolina. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Grinnell College
Highly selective
15%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1470
Private · Iowa
University of North Carolina
Highly selective
15%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1470
Public · North Carolina

Grinnell College vs University of North Carolina: the differences that matter

How Grinnell College and University of North Carolina stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Grinnell College and University of North Carolina are almost equally selective (15% vs 15%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Grinnell College leans more on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, while University of North Carolina puts more weight on alumni / legacy relation, geographical residence, state residency. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Grinnell College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1470 and University of North Carolina's is around 1470. Their admitted ranges are nearly identical. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorGrinnell CollegeUniversity of North Carolina
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantimportant
Recommendationsvery importantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantimportant
Talent / abilityvery importantimportant
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Grinnell College or University of North Carolina harder to get into?

Grinnell College is harder to get into, with a 15% acceptance rate versus 15% at University of North Carolina.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Grinnell College and University of North Carolina?

Grinnell College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1470, and University of North Carolina's is around 1470.

What are my chances at Grinnell College and University of North Carolina?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.