Simpson College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Cleveland Institute of Art is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1.

Simpson College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art ($23,282 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 18.3% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Art ($10,500 vs. $12,850).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $1,744 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Simpson College (about $1,744 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Cleveland Institute of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students ($37,896 vs. $33,857).

Simpson College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130) is 40 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art.

Simpson College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art's (58%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Simpson College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($279 vs. $299).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

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.