Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Butler Creighton University ISU University of St Thomas Iowa Marquette University Grinnell Bradley Saint Louis University-Main Campus Augustana St Olaf Loyola| Drake University | Simpson College | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
| Location | Des Moines, IA | Indianola, IA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 4,685 | 1,151 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #149 | #412 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | drake.edu | simpson.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $47,564 | $44,202 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $47,564 | $44,202 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,570 | $9,654 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $30,333 | $23,185 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $31,274 | $35,898 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,621 | 1,569 | ||
| Admitted | 5,796 | 1,398 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.2% | 89.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.6% | 21.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.7 | 3.62 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 20/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1110/1340 | 890/1280 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 10:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
| Graduation Rate | 75% | 69% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $68,500 | $48,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 84% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $279 |
Diversity |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 37% | 48% | ||
| % Women | 63% | 52% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 1% | ||
| % International | 7% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 3% |
Students |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 35% | 67% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 63% | 32% | ||
Campus |
Drake | Simpson College | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Drake University is larger than than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (4,685 students vs. 1,151 students)
Drake vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Drake or Simpson College?
- Drake University is 7.6% more expensive to attend than Simpson College for in-state tuition ($47,564.00 vs. $44,202.00)
- Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at Drake than Simpson College ($47,564.00 vs. $44,202.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simpson College than Drake ($23,185 vs. $30,333)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 19.8% lower than costs at Drake University ($9,654 vs. $11,570)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Drake University as Simpson College (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 14.8% larger than aid received Drake University ($35,898 vs. $31,274)
Drake vs. Simpson College Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Drake or Simpson College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Simpson College or Drake .
- The average SAT score at Drake University (1224) is 120 points higher than at Simpson College (1104)
- Incoming Drake students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Simpson College (24)
- Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Simpson College (3.62)
- Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than Drake (67.2%)
Drake vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Drake or Simpson College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Simpson College and Drake.
- The graduation rate at Drake is higher than Simpson College (75% vs. 69%)
- Graduates from Drake University earn on average $20,500 more per year than Simpson College graduates after ten years. ($68,500 vs. $48,000)
- Drake University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Simpson College graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
- Drake graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Simpson College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
- More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/