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Simpson College

Simpson College

Indianola, IA · Town · 1,227 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$21,936
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
64%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$59,274
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
86%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Simpson College is a private liberal arts institution located just south of Des Moines, widely recognized for its high graduate placement rates and standout programs in education, music and opera theatre, criminal justice, and pre-health sciences. The college distinguishes itself through its immersive three-week May Term and the nonpartisan John C. Culver Public Policy Center, which brings national political figures directly to campus. Student life is close-knit and spirited, anchored by competitive NCAA Division III athletics, an active Greek community, and strong traditions in the performing arts. Leveraging its proximity to Iowa’s capital city, Simpson provides undergraduates with abundant metropolitan internship and networking opportunities while maintaining a supportive, personalized residential campus environment.

Wikipedia:Simpson College is a private Methodist college in Indianola, Iowa. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and enrolled 1,151 students in fall 2022.

Location
Indianola, IA, 50125 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
OMA · Omaha
121 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$47,656
Housing & food (on campus)$10,500
Books & supplies$1,168
Cost of attendance$61,227
Average net price$21,936
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$47,656
Housing & food (on campus)$10,500
Books & supplies$1,168
Cost of attendance$61,227
Average net price$21,936
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,941
$30–48k
$15,764
$48–75k
$19,176
$75–110k
$22,468
$110k+
$26,586
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
64%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
51%
Back for yr 2
81%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
68% graduated · 22% transferred · 10% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$49,946
10 yrs after entry$59,274
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$11.2k–$29k
90th percentile$35,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — diverse fields: 43% graduate within 6 yrs, $45,606 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
86%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1440
ACT midpoint
24
Comp 31–33 · E 28–34 · M 27–32

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Essay prompts

If Simpson College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
35%
First-gen
23%
Family income
$72,990
Independent
15%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
72%
Hispanic
13%
Black
4%
Asian
2%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's · Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$49,946
After 10 yrs
$59,274
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General35
Business Administration, Management and Operations30
Criminal Justice and Corrections25
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods19
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities19
Accounting and Related Services18
English Language and Literature, General15
Psychology, General14
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication13
Biology, General13
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness13
Computer and Information Sciences, General11
Political Science and Government11
Economics10
Management Information Systems and Services10
Human Services, General9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$87M
Full-time faculty
52%
Faculty salary
$6,723/mo
Teaching spend
$12,667
per student
Federal loans
71%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Simpson College is the right fit for you?

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