Simpson College vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Simpson College or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simpson College or Otterbein University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Simpson College vs. Otterbein University comparison
Simpson College Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Simpson College Otterbein University
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Overview

Simpson College Otterbein University
Location Indianola, IA Westerville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,151 2,458
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #412 #542
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpson.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simpson College Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $44,202 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $44,202 $33,824
Room & Board $9,654 $11,988
Avg Net Price $23,185 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $35,898 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Simpson College Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,569 3,762
Admitted 1,398 3,148
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 83.7%
Enrolled % 21.6% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 20/27
SAT Range 890/1280 1035/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Simpson College Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

Simpson College Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 69% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Simpson College Otterbein University
% Men 48% 39%
% Women 52% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 76%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 10%

Students

Simpson College Otterbein University
% In-State 67% 88%
% Out-of-State 32% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Otterbein University is larger than than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (2,458 students vs. 1,151 students)

Simpson College vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Otterbein University?

  • Simpson College is 30.7% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($44,202.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.7% higher at Simpson College than Otterbein University ($44,202.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than Simpson College ($22,661 vs. $23,185)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 24.2% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($9,654 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Simpson College as Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 49.2% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($35,898 vs. $24,060)

Simpson College vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or Simpson College .

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 16 points higher than at Simpson College (1104)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Simpson College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Simpson College (3.62)
  • Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than Otterbein University (83.7%)

Simpson College vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simpson College or Otterbein University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Otterbein University and Simpson College.

  • The graduation rate at Simpson College is higher than Otterbein University (69% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Simpson College earn on average $3,200 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $44,800)
  • Otterbein University and Simpson College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Otterbein University and Simpson College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/