Iowa vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Iowa vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 Iowa than Simpson College ($21,765 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 18.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,500 vs. $12,920).
• Simpson College is 322.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $36,373 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at Simpson College than at University of Iowa (about $14,285 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 284.1% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($37,896 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 140 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Iowa 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: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Iowa vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.