
Winona Lake, INprivate nonprofitwww.grace.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 75%–85% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Grace College and Theological Seminary is a small, Christ-centered liberal arts college in Winona Lake, Indiana, where 90% of students receive financial aid and the average ACT score hovers around 23. Known for its accelerated three-year bachelor's degrees and robust biblical studies programs, Grace cultivates a tight-knit community where 61% of students are women and intramural sports thrive alongside theological debates.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Grace College maintains an 82% acceptance rate, admitting 4,643 applicants annually with rolling admissions and no application fee. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1000-1200 on the SAT or 20-26 on the ACT, with an average high school GPA of 3.59. A record incoming class of 471 students enrolled in Fall 2021, setting a new benchmark for the institution.
Grace offers 100+ academic programs, all taught through a biblical worldview. Popular majors include Psychology, Business Administration, and Biblical Studies, with accelerated three-year bachelor’s degrees available for nearly every major. The seminary arm emphasizes servant-leadership, with hybrid MDiv programs attracting theology students. Unique options include earning a through combined degree pathways.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
With 1,817 undergraduates (61% female, 39% male), Grace fosters a close-knit community through dorm life and Student Activities Board events like dances and intramural sports. The seminary in Akron, Ohio, adds a layer of theological rigor, while Winona Lake’s campus emphasizes spiritual growth through chapel services and discipleship programs. Housing is guaranteed for all four years, with residence life staff actively shaping Christian community.
Grace boasts a 70% six-year graduation rate, outperforming many peers. Within four years, 48% of students complete their degrees, rising to 54% by year five. Alumni median family income is $76,100, with 20% coming from the top income quintile. The college ranks #1 among Brethren Church-affiliated institutions for completion rates.
While the sticker price hits $44,122 for tuition and fees, 99% of undergraduates receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $21,680. Scholarships for ACT scores (averaging 23) and GPA (3.59+) significantly offset costs. The college’s affordability calculator helps families project aid packages, which average $17,772 per student.
Grace’s accelerated degree options—like three-year bachelor’s programs—cater to goal-oriented students, while its seminary integration offers rare theological depth for a small college. The 82% admission rate belies its academic rigor, with test scores and graduation rates rivaling more selective schools. Winona Lake’s serene setting and 100% Christ-centered curriculum create a distinctive environment where business majors and future pastors debate scripture over intramural volleyball.