Simpson College vs. DeSales University

Should I go to Simpson College or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simpson College or DeSales University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Simpson College vs. DeSales University comparison
Simpson College DeSales University College 3 College 4
Simpson College DeSales University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Simpson College DeSales University
Location Indianola, IA Center Valley, PA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,151 2,991
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #412 #262
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpson.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simpson College DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $44,202 $41,100
Tuition (Out of State) $44,202 $41,100
Room & Board $9,654 $13,500
Avg Net Price $23,185 $29,104
Avg Grant Aid $35,898 $27,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Simpson College DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,569 3,662
Admitted 1,398 2,826
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 77.2%
Enrolled % 21.6% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 23/29
SAT Range 890/1280 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Simpson College DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Simpson College DeSales University
Graduation Rate 69% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Simpson College DeSales University
% Men 48% 34%
% Women 52% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 75%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

Simpson College DeSales University
% In-State 67% 66%
% Out-of-State 32% 34%

Campus

Simpson College DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • DeSales University is larger than than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (2,991 students vs. 1,151 students)

Simpson College vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or DeSales University?

  • Simpson College is 7.5% more expensive to attend than DeSales University for in-state tuition ($44,202.00 vs. $41,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.5% higher at Simpson College than DeSales University ($44,202.00 vs. $41,100.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simpson College than DeSales University ($23,185 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 39.8% lower than costs at DeSales University ($9,654 vs. $13,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Simpson College as DeSales University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 29% larger than aid received DeSales University ($35,898 vs. $27,824)

Simpson College vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or DeSales University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between DeSales University or Simpson College .

  • The average SAT score at Simpson College (1104) is 50 points higher than at DeSales University (1054)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Simpson College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

Simpson College vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simpson College or DeSales University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between DeSales University and Simpson College.

  • The graduation rate at Simpson College is the same as at DeSales University (69% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Simpson College graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $48,000)
  • DeSales University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Simpson College graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • DeSales University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Simpson College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/