Central College vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Central College vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Simpson College? 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 Simpson College than Central College ($23,282 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 12.9% lower than at Central College ($10,500 vs. $12,060).
• Simpson College is 127.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $26,668 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.1% higher at Simpson College than at Central College (about $26,668 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 172.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($37,896 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Simpson College? 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 College and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is the same as at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Central College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Simpson College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Central College vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Simpson College? 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 College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates of Central College and Simpson College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $48,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Simpson College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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.