Northwestern College vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Northwestern College vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Simpson College than Northwestern College ($23,282 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 3.7% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,500 vs. $10,900).
• Simpson College is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $10,946 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at Simpson College than at Northwestern College (about $10,946 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 61% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($37,896 vs. $23,537).

Northwestern College vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern College (1090) is the same as at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Simpson College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Northwestern College (3.57).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Northwestern College (80.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Northwestern College vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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 Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.