Simpson College vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

Simpson College vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or MLC? 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 Martin Luther College than Simpson College ($18,974 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 24.8% lower than at Simpson College ($7,900 vs. $10,500).
• Simpson College is 163% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $29,536 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163% higher at Simpson College than at Martin Luther College (about $29,536 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Martin Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 268.8% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($37,896 vs. $10,276).

Simpson College vs. MLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 80 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming MLC 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; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; MLC - Test optional.
• 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 MLC (3.56).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 88.3% at MLC.

Simpson College vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and MLC? 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.