Simpson College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Simpson College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College or WLC? 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 WLC ($23,282 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 14.3% lower than at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($10,500 vs. $12,250).
• Simpson College is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $11,546 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at Simpson College than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $11,546 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($37,896 vs. $24,624).

Simpson College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1100) is 10 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming WLC 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; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at WLC (3.54).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Simpson College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College and WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College's (63%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.