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Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Town

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At a glance

Average net price
$21,936What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
86%
Graduation rate
64%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
1,227
In-state tuition
$47,656Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$47,656
SAT midpoint
1,085
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$59,274Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$21,936

Better than 55% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

64%

Better than 62% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$59,274

Better than 65% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$26,000

Better than 28% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$61,227

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$21,936

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

What would this cost me?
Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Simpson College
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time64%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return81%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$26,000
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$59,274

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Simpson College by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Computer Science$70,9505
Accounting and Related Services$60,71718
Business Administration, Management and Operations$56,81230
Human Services, General$46,1849
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$44,8725
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$43,63519
Criminal Justice and Corrections$42,86225
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,76019
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$41,92513
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$38,15813
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralNot reported35
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported15
Psychology, GeneralNot reported14
Biology, GeneralNot reported13
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralNot reported11
Political Science and GovernmentNot reported11
EconomicsNot reported10
Management Information Systems and ServicesNot reported10
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported9
HistoryNot reported9
SociologyNot reported7
MusicNot reported6
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported5
JournalismNot reported4
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyNot reported3
MathematicsNot reported3
Security Science and TechnologyNot reported3
Design and Applied ArtsNot reported3
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reported3
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsNot reported2
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported2
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralNot reported2
PhilosophyNot reported1
PhysicsNot reported1
Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationNot reported1
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesNot reported1
International Relations and National Security StudiesNot reported1
Neurobiology and NeurosciencesNot reported1
International BusinessNot reported1
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported1
Applied MathematicsNot reported1
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNot reportedNot reported
ChemistryNot reportedNot reported
Engineering PhysicsNot reportedNot reported
MarketingNot reportedNot reported
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reportedNot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported

All 47 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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