Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Fringe town

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa. 1,227 undergraduates. Admits 86% of applicants.

63%Graduation rate9 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$20,460Average net price per yearAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
$57,816Median earnings 10 years after startingAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
$26,000Median debt at graduation20% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($26,000) equals 45% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($57,816).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$16,952
$30,000–$48,000$15,874
$48,001–$75,000$15,833
$75,001–$110,000$17,923
Over $110,000$27,045

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $48,988.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate63%54%
Return for second year81%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$51,367$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$57,816$58,912
Median debt at graduation$26,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

41 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General13—$99,997—
Accounting and Related Services16$61,162$86,715$26,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations29$59,655$77,207$27,000
Biology, General9—$66,183—
Management Information Systems and Services10$63,993——
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication10—$62,408$26,500
Criminal Justice and Corrections15—$56,548$27,000
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness17—$54,060$27,000
English Language and Literature, General4—$50,123—
Psychology, General12—$48,965$27,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas4—$48,541—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods19$47,862$47,387$27,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities18$47,373$45,704$27,000
Natural Resources Conservation and Research8———
Journalism3———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication8———
Computer Science14———
Engineering Physics2———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology6———
Neurobiology and Neurosciences1———
Mathematics8———
Applied Mathematics2———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General1———
Philosophy5———
Religion/Religious Studies1———
Chemistry1———
Human Services, General8———
Economics6———
Political Science and Government11———
Sociology4———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft2———
Music3———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General25——$27,000
History9———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

86%Admission rate
1,440Average SAT of admitted students
31–33ACT middle 50%
12:1Students per faculty member
40%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Iowa

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Simpson College cost per year?
The average net price at Simpson College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $20,460 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Simpson College graduates earn?
Former Simpson College students earn a median of $57,816 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Simpson College?
63% of Simpson College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Simpson College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Simpson College is $26,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.