Earlham vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

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

Simpson College is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Earlham vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham ($23,282 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 24.9% lower than at Earlham College ($10,500 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $6,274 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Earlham than at Simpson College (about $6,274 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($40,618 vs. $37,896).

Earlham vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 110 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Earlham 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: Earlham College 1110/1290; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Earlham vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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 Earlham College's (66%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Earlham College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Earlham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Earlham students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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.