Simpson College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Simpson College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Simpson College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Stephens 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 Stephens College than Simpson College ($23,194 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 21.4% lower than at Stephens College ($10,500 vs. $13,366).
• Simpson College is 68.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $19,356 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.4% higher at Simpson College than at Stephens College (about $19,356 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 62.4% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($37,896 vs. $23,341).

Simpson College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 110 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Simpson College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Stephens 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephens 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 Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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.