Simpson College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Simpson College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($23,282 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 6% lower than at Simpson College ($9,868 vs. $10,500).
• Simpson College is 57.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $17,391 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Simpson College than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $17,391 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at John Paul the Great Catholic University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 123.2% larger than aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students ($37,896 vs. $16,982).

Simpson College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Simpson College.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University 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; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Simpson College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($266 vs. $279).

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.