McKendree University vs. Simpson College

Should I go to McKendree University or Simpson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or Simpson College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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McKendree University vs. Simpson College comparison
McKendree University Simpson College College 3 College 4
McKendree University Simpson College
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Overview

McKendree University Simpson College
Location Lebanon, IL Indianola, IA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 1,960 1,151
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #412
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu simpson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University Simpson College
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $44,202
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $44,202
Room & Board $11,590 $9,654
Avg Net Price $22,431 $23,185
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $35,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

McKendree University Simpson College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 1,569
Admitted 1,594 1,398
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 89.1%
Enrolled % 26.5% 21.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.62
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 20/27
SAT Range 871/1277 890/1280
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

McKendree University Simpson College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

McKendree University Simpson College
Graduation Rate 54% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $279

Diversity

McKendree University Simpson College
% Men 46% 48%
% Women 54% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 88%
% Black 14% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

McKendree University Simpson College
% In-State 48% 67%
% Out-of-State 27% 32%

Campus

McKendree University Simpson College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • McKendree University is larger than than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,960 students vs. 1,151 students)

McKendree University vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or Simpson College?

  • Simpson College is 38% more expensive to attend than McKendree University for in-state tuition ($44,202.00 vs. $32,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at Simpson College than McKendree University ($44,202.00 vs. $32,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McKendree University than Simpson College ($22,431 vs. $23,185)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 20.1% lower than costs at McKendree University ($9,654 vs. $11,590)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University as Simpson College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 48.7% larger than aid received McKendree University ($35,898 vs. $24,145)

McKendree University vs. Simpson College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McKendree University or Simpson College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Simpson College or McKendree University .

  • The average SAT score at Simpson College (1104) is 98 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming Simpson College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University 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 McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at Simpson College is higher than McKendree University (69% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from McKendree University earn on average $300 more per year than Simpson College graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $48,000)
  • McKendree University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Simpson College graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • McKendree University graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Simpson College graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/