Simpson College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,440 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

Simpson College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or SU? 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 SU ($23,282 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 30.3% lower than at Southwestern University ($10,500 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $6,157 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at SU than at Simpson College (about $6,157 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Southwestern University students ($37,896 vs. $35,162).

Simpson College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 130 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming SU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at SU (3.5).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 13.8% at SU.

Simpson College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.