Simpson College vs. Carroll College

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Carroll College in Helena, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Carroll College is in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Carroll College 12:1.

Simpson College vs. Carroll College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Carroll 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 Carroll College ($23,282 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 9.1% lower than at Carroll College ($10,500 vs. $11,548).
• Simpson College is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll College (about $6,172 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at Simpson College than at Carroll College (about $6,172 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Carroll College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 26.1% larger than aid received by Carroll College students ($37,896 vs. $30,058).

Simpson College vs. Carroll College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or Carroll 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 Carroll College and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll College (1180) is 90 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Carroll College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Carroll College 1050/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Carroll College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 21.6% at Carroll College.

Simpson College vs. Carroll College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Carroll 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 Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Carroll College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carroll College and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carroll College and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.