Simpson College vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Wartburg College is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Simpson College vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or Wartburg 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 Simpson College than Wartburg College ($23,282 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 10.6% lower than at Wartburg College ($10,500 vs. $11,750).
• Simpson College is 81.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $21,406 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.5% higher at Simpson College than at Wartburg College (about $21,406 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Simpson College students ($40,336 vs. $37,896).

Simpson College vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson College (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College 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; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Simpson College vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and Wartburg 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 Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wartburg College and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wartburg College and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.