Simpson College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Simpson College is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Southwestern College is in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Southwestern College 10:1.

Simpson College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern College ($23,282 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 8.4% lower than at Southwestern College ($10,500 vs. $11,465).
• Simpson College is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $7,834 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at Simpson College than at Southwestern College (about $7,834 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at Southwestern College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 31% larger than aid received by Southwestern College students ($37,896 vs. $28,936).

Simpson College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson College (1090) is 30 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Incoming Simpson College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Southwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Southwestern College 900/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Southwestern College 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Southwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Southwestern College (3.33).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 19.1% at Southwestern College.

Simpson College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Southwestern 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).

• Simpson College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Southwestern College's (57%).
• Graduates from Southwestern College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 57%)

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.