UIC vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Simpson College 12:1.

UIC vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 University of Illinois Chicago than Simpson College ($10,852 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 36.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($10,500 vs. $16,500).
• Simpson College is 232.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $33,318 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at Simpson College than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $17,772 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 126.2% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($37,896 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 150 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming UIC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

UIC vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

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.