UNI vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northern 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; Simpson College 12:1.

UNI vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 Northern Iowa than Simpson College ($16,437 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 4.9% lower than at Simpson College ($9,986 vs. $10,500).
• Simpson College is 379.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $37,720 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at Simpson College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $25,944 more per year; $47,656.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 546.1% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($37,896 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 60 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Simpson College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

UNI vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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 Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $300 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

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.