Simpson College vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Simpson College vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Roanoke 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 Roanoke College ($23,282 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 31.7% lower than at Roanoke College ($10,500 vs. $15,366).
• Simpson College is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roanoke College (about $9,588 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Simpson College than at Roanoke College (about $9,588 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($37,896 vs. $28,188).

Simpson College vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 110 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Simpson College vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Roanoke 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).

• The graduation rate at Simpson College is the same as at Roanoke College (69% vs. 69%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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.