Cornell College vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, 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 Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Cornell College vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell College ($23,282 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 11.4% lower than at Cornell College ($10,500 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $5,004 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Cornell College than at Simpson College (about $5,004 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($41,092 vs. $37,896).

Cornell College vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 110 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Cornell College vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Simpson College and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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.