Simpson College vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Simpson College vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or USD? 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 South Dakota than Simpson College ($19,133 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 1.4% lower than at Simpson College ($10,356 vs. $10,500).
• Simpson College is 405.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $38,224 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 268.2% higher at Simpson College than at University of South Dakota (about $34,714 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 573.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($37,896 vs. $5,623).

Simpson College vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 130 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 24.1% at USD.

Simpson College vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and USD? 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $200 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.