Simpson University vs. Central College

Should I go to Simpson University or Central College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simpson University or Central College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Simpson University vs. Central College comparison
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Central College
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Overview

 Simpson University Central College
Location Redding, CA Pella, IA
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 907 1,095
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #548
Religious Affiliation Christ and Missionary Alliance Church Reformed Church in America - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpsonu.edu central.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Simpson University Central College
Tuition (In State) $37,022 $20,988
Tuition (Out of State) $37,022 $20,988
Room & Board $11,900 $12,220
Avg Net Price $28,453 $22,499
Avg Grant Aid $23,842 $12,678
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Simpson University Central College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 823 1,978
Admitted 815 1,562
Acceptance Rate 99% 79%
Enrolled % 18.5% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 960/1185 935/1205
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Simpson University Central College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)

Outcomes

 Simpson University Central College
Graduation Rate 43% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,668 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $172 $279

Diversity

 Simpson University Central College
% Men 7% 1%
% Women 9% 2%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 60% 87%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 12% 3%

Students

 Simpson University Central College
% In-State 74% 72%
% Out-of-State 23% 28%

Campus

 Simpson University Central College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central College is larger than than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (1,095 students vs. 907 students)

Simpson University vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University or Central College?

  • Simpson University is 76.4% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($37,022.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.4% higher at Simpson University than Central College ($37,022.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Simpson University ($22,499 vs. $28,453)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 2.7% lower than costs at Central College ($11,900 vs. $12,220)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Simpson University as Central College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 88.1% larger than aid received Central College ($23,842 vs. $12,678)

Simpson University vs. Central College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University or Central College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central College or Simpson University .

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 67 points higher than at Simpson University (1001)
  • Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Simpson University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Simpson University (3.4)
  • Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Central College (79%)

Simpson University vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simpson University or Central College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Central College and Simpson University.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Simpson University (63% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $9,800 more per year than Simpson University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $38,200)
  • Simpson University students graduate with a $10,332 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($16,668 vs. $27,000)
  • Simpson University graduates are paying $107 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($172 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/