Simpson College vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

Simpson College vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($23,282 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 16.3% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,500 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $8,100 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Saint Benedict than at Simpson College (about $8,100 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at College of Saint Benedict (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($40,048 vs. $37,896).

Simpson College vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 50 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Saint Benedict (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

Simpson College vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Benedict graduates have a $657 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($26,343 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Benedict graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($272 vs. $279).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.