DePaul vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DePaul University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Simpson College 12:1.

DePaul vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul 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 DePaul ($23,282 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 45% lower than at DePaul University ($10,500 vs. $19,095).
• Simpson College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $1,657 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Simpson College than at DePaul University (about $1,657 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 29.4% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($37,896 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul 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 DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 150 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

DePaul vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul 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 DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

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.