Cal State LA vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Simpson University in Redding, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Simpson University 17:1.

Cal State LA vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or Simpson University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than Simpson University ($4,460 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 39.6% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($11,900 vs. $19,696).
• Simpson University is 454.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $32,548 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101% higher at Simpson University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $19,948 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 87.6% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($25,937 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or Simpson University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Simpson University and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson University (1070) is 100 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Simpson University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Simpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Simpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Simpson University (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

Cal State LA vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and Simpson University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Simpson University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $3,748 lower median loan debt than Simpson University graduates ($12,920 vs. $16,668).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson University graduates ($133 vs. $172).
• More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.