Simpson College
Simpson College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Simpson College at a Glance
Simpson College is a private Methodist college in Indianola, Iowa. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and enrolled 1,151 students in fall 2022.
1860
166 years old
$146M
$145,937,553
1,151
1,127 undergrad · 24 grad
75
85 acres
Identity
Is Simpson College Worth It?
Simpson College offers moderate value at $21,936/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,274, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Simpson College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #12 of 82 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #12 | Simpson College | 43 | $21,936 | $59,274 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Simpson College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in IA.
Best Programs at Simpson College
The highest-earning program at Simpson College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $68,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $33,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Simpson College earns $68,800, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $33,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,936/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,800 | $68,800 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,400 | $52,400 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,500 | $45,500 | $23,874 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,300 | $38,300 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,100 | $38,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,500 | $34,500 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,500 | $34,500 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,900 | $33,900 | $25,558 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Indianola, IA
- Student Body
- 1,227 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,936
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,274
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000