Simpson College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (3,234 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Simpson College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($23,282 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 9% lower than at University of Northwestern St Paul ($10,500 vs. $11,534).
• Simpson College is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $9,736 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Simpson College than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $9,736 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 71.2% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($37,896 vs. $22,132).

Simpson College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson College (1090) is 20 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul 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; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

Simpson College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $4,930 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($22,070 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.