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#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

Simpson College Admission Requirements

Indianola, Iowa

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Simpson College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

89.1%
Admission Difficulty for Simpson College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Simpson College is 89.1%.  Its admission rate is the 23rd lowest in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Simpson College and can you get accepted?

Simpson College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,398 out of the 1,569 who applied were admitted.

Simpson College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.62. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Simpson College?

89% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Simpson College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.62 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1090 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Simpson College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.62

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Simpson College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Simpson College are to have around a 3.62 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.62 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Simpson College accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Simpson College is 3.62 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #8 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Simpson College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Simpson College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 27.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 9.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Simpson College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Simpson College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 1% of students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

890-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

1%
SAT Scores for Simpson College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 430
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 890
SAT Scores for Simpson College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1090

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Simpson College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Simpson College is 1090 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 890-1280. Students who get into Simpson College score in the top 79 percent of all SAT test takers..  Simpson College ranks #14 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1090 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Simpson College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 890 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 890, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 690, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Simpson College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1085, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

Simpson College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >94%
1085 to 1280 Avg + 89%-94%
890 to 1085 Avg - 81%-89%
695 to 890 Reach 69%-81%
Less than 695 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

Simpson College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for Simpson College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Simpson College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Simpson College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Simpson College is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27.  The school ranks #11 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Simpson College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Simpson College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Simpson College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 27 ACT score.

Simpson College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >94%
23 to 27 Avg + 89%-94%
20 to 23 Avg - 82%-89%
17 to 20 Reach 73%-82%
Less than 17 Low <73%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

81% of Simpson College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 46% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Simpson College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 21%
Top 25% of class 46%
Top 50% of class 81%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Simpson College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 708 852 1,569
Accepted 645 745 1,398
Acceptance Rate 91% 87% 89%
Enrolled 143 159 302
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 22% 21% 22%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

233

Applicants have 233 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Simpson College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Simpson College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Simpson College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Simpson College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Simpson College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.62 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1090 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Simpson College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154350 IPEDS survey data for Simpson College.

Last updated February 24, 2024