Holy Cross College vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, 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 Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College than Simpson College ($22,421 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 17.3% lower than at Holy Cross College ($10,500 vs. $12,700).
• Simpson College is 30.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $11,056 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at Simpson College than at Holy Cross College (about $11,056 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($37,896 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Holy Cross College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Holy Cross College vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 64%)

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.