Simpson College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University

Deciding between Simpson College and Nebraska Wesleyan 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
Nebraska Wesleyan University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Simpson College Indianola, IA
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE
  • Setting
  • Simpson College Distant Town
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Simpson College 1,251
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1,654
  • Type
  • Simpson College Private 4 Year
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Simpson College #436
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University #468
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Simpson College United Methodist
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Simpson College Non-profit
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Simpson College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $43,572
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $43,572
  • Room & Board
  • Simpson College $10,500
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $11,915
  • Average Net Price
  • Simpson College $23,282
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $21,122
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Simpson College $37,896
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $32,863
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Simpson College 100%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Simpson College 2,046
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2,725
  • Admitted
  • Simpson College 1,764
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2,175
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Simpson College 86.2%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 79.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Simpson College 21.6%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 16.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simpson College 1090
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simpson College 23
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Simpson College 3.62
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Simpson College A-
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Simpson College Average
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Simpson College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • ACT Range
  • Simpson College 20/27
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 22/27
  • SAT Range
  • Simpson College 890/1280
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1020/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Simpson College Test optional
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Simpson College Aug 15, 2027
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Simpson College 12:1
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Simpson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Simpson College 69%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Simpson College $48,000
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $51,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Simpson College 77%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Simpson College $27,000
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Simpson College $279
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Simpson College 50%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 44%
  • % Women
  • Simpson College 50%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Simpson College Extremely Low
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Simpson College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • % White
  • Simpson College 88%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 85%
  • % Asian
  • Simpson College 2%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Black
  • Simpson College 2%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Simpson College 3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 5%
  • % Native American
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Simpson College 1%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % International
  • Simpson College 0%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Simpson College 3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Simpson College 75%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Simpson College 23%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 31%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Simpson College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Simpson College Yes
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Simpson College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Learn More
  • Simpson College Details
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,654 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Simpson College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University than Simpson College ($21,122 vs. $23,282).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 11.9% lower than at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($10,500 vs. $11,915).
  • Simpson College is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska Wesleyan University (about $4,084 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $43,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Simpson College than at Nebraska Wesleyan University (about $4,084 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $43,572.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Nebraska Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students ($37,896 vs. $32,863).

Simpson College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1160) is 70 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan 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; Nebraska Wesleyan University 1020/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Nebraska Wesleyan University 22/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Nebraska Wesleyan University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Nebraska Wesleyan University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
  • Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (79.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 16.2% at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Simpson College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University's (64%).
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College 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.