Simpson College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Simpson College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia than Simpson College ($22,169 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 23.4% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($10,500 vs. $13,700).
• Simpson College is 221.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $32,819 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Simpson College than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $11,600 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of Missouri Columbia (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 187% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($37,896 vs. $13,203).

Simpson College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia and Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 150 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Simpson College vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri Columbia (69% vs. 69%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $5,117 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($21,883 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($226 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 73%)

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.