Simpson College Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Indianola, IA
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Simpson College Admission Overview
Simpson College admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Simpson College admitted 86.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (A-) and SAT 890-1280 / ACT 20-27. Simpson College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Simpson College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Simpson College Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Simpson College
Acceptance Rate
The Simpson College acceptance rate is 86.2%. Last year, 1,764 of 2,046 applicants were admitted. That is the 22nd lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Simpson College typically attracts "A-" 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.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Simpson College GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.62Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.62
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Simpson College typically have around a 3.62 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Simpson College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #8 in Iowa for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Simpson College SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
890-1280Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
-25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 430
- Math 460
- Composite 890
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 660
- Composite 1280
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Simpson College typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 890–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. Simpson College ranks #15 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 890 to 1280
SAT policy
Simpson College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Simpson College ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
20-27Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
2%25th Percentile Scores
- English 19
- Math 18
- Composite 20
75th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 27
- Composite 27
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Simpson College typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 20–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Simpson College places #13 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 27
ACT policy
You may apply to Simpson College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
81% of Simpson College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 46% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Simpson College chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Simpson College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Aug 15, 2027Days left to Apply
349Applicants have 349 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Simpson College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Simpson College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 86.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (890-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Simpson College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154350.
GPA calculator: Simpson College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026