Simpson College vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Simpson College vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College ($23,282 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 2.8% lower than at Ripon College ($10,500 vs. $10,800).
• Ripon College is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $4,244 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Ripon College than at Simpson College (about $4,244 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($39,716 vs. $37,896).

Simpson College vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ripon College (1130) is 40 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Ripon College 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; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Simpson College vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Simpson College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College 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.