Simpson College vs. Lindenwood University

Deciding between Simpson College and Lindenwood University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Simpson College
Lindenwood University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Simpson College Indianola, IA
  • Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
  • Setting
  • Simpson College Distant Town
  • Lindenwood University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Simpson College 1,251
  • Lindenwood University 6,826
  • Type
  • Simpson College Private 4 Year
  • Lindenwood University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Simpson College #436
  • Lindenwood University #725
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Simpson College United Methodist
  • Lindenwood University -
  • Status
  • Simpson College Non-profit
  • Lindenwood University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Simpson College
  • Lindenwood University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Lindenwood University $21,600
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Lindenwood University $21,600
  • Room & Board
  • Simpson College $10,500
  • Lindenwood University $11,700
  • Average Net Price
  • Simpson College $23,282
  • Lindenwood University $20,901
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Simpson College $37,896
  • Lindenwood University $14,626
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Simpson College 100%
  • Lindenwood University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Simpson College 2,046
  • Lindenwood University 7,966
  • Admitted
  • Simpson College 1,764
  • Lindenwood University 4,528
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Simpson College 86.2%
  • Lindenwood University 56.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Simpson College 21.6%
  • Lindenwood University 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simpson College 1090
  • Lindenwood University 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simpson College 23
  • Lindenwood University 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Simpson College 3.62
  • Lindenwood University 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Simpson College A-
  • Lindenwood University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Simpson College Average
  • Lindenwood University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Simpson College
  • Lindenwood University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Simpson College 20/27
  • Lindenwood University 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • Simpson College 890/1280
  • Lindenwood University 1023/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Simpson College Test optional
  • Lindenwood University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Simpson College Aug 15, 2027
  • Lindenwood University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Simpson College 12:1
  • Lindenwood University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Simpson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Lindenwood University
    • Business (42%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Simpson College 69%
  • Lindenwood University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Simpson College $48,000
  • Lindenwood University $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Simpson College 77%
  • Lindenwood University 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Simpson College $27,000
  • Lindenwood University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Simpson College $279
  • Lindenwood University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Simpson College 50%
  • Lindenwood University 36%
  • % Women
  • Simpson College 50%
  • Lindenwood University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Simpson College Extremely Low
  • Lindenwood University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Simpson College No
  • Lindenwood University No
  • % White
  • Simpson College 88%
  • Lindenwood University 56%
  • % Asian
  • Simpson College 2%
  • Lindenwood University 1%
  • % Black
  • Simpson College 2%
  • Lindenwood University 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • Simpson College 3%
  • Lindenwood University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Lindenwood University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Lindenwood University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Simpson College 1%
  • Lindenwood University 3%
  • % International
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Lindenwood University 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Simpson College 3%
  • Lindenwood University 10%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Simpson College 75%
  • Lindenwood University 59%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Simpson College 23%
  • Lindenwood University 35%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Lindenwood University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Simpson College No
  • Lindenwood University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Lindenwood University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Lindenwood University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Simpson College No
  • Lindenwood University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lindenwood University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (6,826 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Lindenwood University is in Saint Charles, MO (Small City setting).
  • Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lindenwood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Lindenwood University 14:1.

Simpson College vs. Lindenwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Lindenwood 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 Lindenwood University than Simpson College ($20,901 vs. $23,282).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 10.3% lower than at Lindenwood University ($10,500 vs. $11,700).
  • Simpson College is 120.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lindenwood University (about $26,056 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $21,600.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 120.6% higher at Simpson College than at Lindenwood University (about $26,056 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $21,600.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at Lindenwood University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 159.1% larger than aid received by Lindenwood University students ($37,896 vs. $14,626).

Simpson College vs. Lindenwood University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lindenwood University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
  • Incoming Lindenwood 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; Lindenwood University 1023/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Lindenwood University 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Lindenwood University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Lindenwood University (3.42).
  • Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Lindenwood University (56.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 14.1% at Lindenwood University.

Simpson College vs. Lindenwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Lindenwood 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).

  • Simpson College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Lindenwood University's (45%).
  • Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Lindenwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lindenwood University and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Lindenwood University and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lindenwood University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

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.