Simpson College vs. KU

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

Simpson College vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or KU? 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 University of Kansas than Simpson College ($19,205 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 7.6% lower than at University of Kansas ($10,500 vs. $11,358).
• Simpson College is 293.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $35,554 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.6% higher at Simpson College than at University of Kansas (about $17,224 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 228.4% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($37,896 vs. $11,541).

Simpson College vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 100 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming KU 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; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 25.5% at KU.

Simpson College vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

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.