Simpson College
#3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Iowa- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,274 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,936 D+
- 28% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Iowa.
Every $1 spent returns $16.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,373,035.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Simpson College Matters
Simpson College is a private college in Indianola, IA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,227
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose Simpson College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,936 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,274 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 63% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Students at Simpson College can expect a 10-year earnings average of $59,274 after graduation. This figure indicates a solid return on investment for graduates, especially when considering the overall cost of attendance. The net price for students stands at $21,936, making it a manageable financial option for many.
The Opportunity Insights data does not provide a clear mobility rate for Simpson College, but the graduation rate is 64%, suggesting that a significant number of students complete their degrees. While specific outcomes for the bottom 20% are not available, the general success rate reflects the college's supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. This can positively influence their long-term economic mobility.
Simpson College is a good fit for students pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Computer Science & IT, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 86%, it welcomes a broad range of applicants. Graduates face a median debt of $26,000, which, combined with their earning potential, suggests that many can manage their student loans effectively. Students who thrive here often value a close-knit community and personalized attention in their educational journey.
Rankings
- #3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Iowa
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in Iowa
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Iowa
- #10 Best Computer Science Colleges in Iowa
- #10 Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in Iowa
- #11 Best Master's Programs in Iowa
- #12 Best Online Colleges in Iowa
Can I Get In?
How selective Simpson College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Simpson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,440. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1440
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- ACT Range
- 31–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,723
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 1,569
- Admitted
- 1,398
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Simpson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Simpson College is $47,656, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,936. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,941 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $47,656
- Out-of-State
- $47,656
- Avg Net Price
- $21,936
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 71%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,941
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,764
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,176
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,586
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Simpson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Simpson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Simpson College earn a median of $59,274, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,946
- 8 Years
- $50,552
- 10 Years
- $59,274
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (223)
- 65%
- 100% (223)
- 65%
- 100% (223)
- 65%
- 100% (223)
- 65%
How Simpson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Simpson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Simpson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,936/year ($87,744 total). Graduates earn $59,274 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,460,779 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,373,035 (16.6× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $87,744
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,460,779
- Net Return
- $1,373,035
- ROI Multiple
- 16.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,936
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Simpson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Simpson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.23%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 39.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.23%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 39.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $109,779
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,694,234
- Investment Income
- $-6,323,730
Top Programs
The fields Simpson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 13% $64,767 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $45,192 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $34,410 early-career
- Education 8% $47,206 early-career
- Communications 7% $45,534 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $52,040 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $43,569 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Simpson College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Simpson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,440. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Simpson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Simpson College is $47,656, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,936. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,941 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Simpson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Simpson College earn a median of $59,274, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Simpson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Simpson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.23%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 39.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Simpson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Simpson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Simpson College.
- University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · Close peer62% grad $54,521 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA · Close peer57% grad $60,787 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Edgewood UniversityMadison, WI · Close peer64% grad $59,728 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Simpson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Simpson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note