Simpson College vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

Simpson College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University than Simpson College ($23,027 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 30.2% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($10,500 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $974 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Simpson College (about $974 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Mount St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($40,619 vs. $37,896).

Simpson College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 70 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Mount St. Mary's University (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

Simpson College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Mount St. Mary's 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.