Menlo vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA with Simpson University in Redding, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson University is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (992 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Menlo College 14:1; Simpson University 17:1.

Menlo vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo or Simpson University? 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 University than Menlo ($28,653 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 34.7% lower than at Menlo College ($11,900 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 35.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson University (about $13,922 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $39,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at Menlo than at Simpson University (about $13,922 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $39,708.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College as at Simpson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 51% larger than aid received by Simpson University students ($39,174 vs. $25,937).

Menlo vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo or Simpson University? 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 University and Menlo.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSimpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSimpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Menlo (3.3).
• Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Menlo (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.3% at Menlo vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

Menlo vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo and Simpson University? 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 University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Menlo College's (34%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $4,394 lower median loan debt than Menlo graduates ($16,668 vs. $21,062).
• Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Menlo graduates ($172 vs. $217).
• More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Menlo students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 55%)

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.