C of I vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson College is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (1,251 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Simpson College 12:1.

C of I vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I or Simpson 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 The College of Idaho than Simpson College ($21,686 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 17.8% lower than at The College of Idaho ($10,500 vs. $12,773).
• Simpson College is 25.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than C of I (about $9,811 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at Simpson College than at The College of Idaho (about $9,811 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 30.2% larger than aid received by The College of Idaho students ($37,896 vs. $29,110).

C of I vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I or Simpson 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 Simpson College and C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is 90 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming C of I students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

C of I vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I and Simpson 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 The College of Idaho's (63%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than C of I graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Idaho graduates have a $1,005 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,995 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, C of I graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former C of I 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.