Simpson College vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Catawba College is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Catawba College 13:1.

Simpson College vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Catawba 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 Catawba College than Simpson College ($18,447 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 22.6% lower than at Catawba College ($10,500 vs. $13,565).
• Simpson College is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $13,356 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at Simpson College than at Catawba College (about $13,356 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 23% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($37,896 vs. $30,808).

Simpson College vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 80 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba 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 Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Simpson College vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Catawba 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 Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 60%)

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.