Valpo vs. Simpson College

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Valpo vs. Simpson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valparaiso University than Simpson College ($21,766 vs. $23,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 22.9% lower than at Valparaiso University ($10,500 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $794 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Valpo than at Simpson College (about $794 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Valparaiso University students ($37,896 vs. $37,548).

Valpo vs. Simpson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 80 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming Valpo 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: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Simpson College 890/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Simpson College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Simpson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Simpson College (3.62).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Simpson College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Valpo vs. Simpson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Simpson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson College and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Simpson College and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 77%)

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.