Simpson College vs. Marquette University

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marquette University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Marquette University is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marquette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Marquette University 14:1.

Simpson College vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Marquette 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 Marquette University ($23,282 vs. $34,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 36.3% lower than at Marquette University ($10,500 vs. $16,490).
• Marquette University is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $3,514 more per year; $51,170.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Marquette University than at Simpson College (about $3,514 more per year; $51,170.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Marquette University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Marquette University students ($37,896 vs. $32,996).

Simpson College vs. Marquette University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marquette University (1280) is 190 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Marquette University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Marquette University 1200/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Marquette University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Marquette University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Marquette University Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Marquette University (3.56).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Marquette University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 14.1% at Marquette University.

Simpson College vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Marquette 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).

• Marquette University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Marquette University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marquette University and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marquette University and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Marquette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.