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Simpson College

#945 in US ranking Indianola, IA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$63,127
Tuition & fees
$47,656
Avg. aid
$36,418
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
86%
Avg. SAT
1085
ACT range
31–33

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
Median salary
$47,517
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Simpson College?

Simpson College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is distinct from any specialized approval or accreditation that may apply to an individual program.

Accreditation is important for federal student-aid eligibility and provides a recognized framework for reviewing institutional quality. It does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular transfer course, or that a degree alone will satisfy a state licensing board. Applicants entering fields such as teaching should check the current program's approval status and the licensing rules in the state where they intend to work.

What are the admission requirements at Simpson College?

First-year applicants to Simpson College generally apply with a completed application and a secondary-school transcript showing their coursework and academic performance. Applicants need a high school diploma or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED, before entering a degree program. Simpson is not an open-admission institution.

The college considers the high school record and GPA. Class rank and recommendations may be considered but are not generally required. SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted rather than required for every applicant. Students applying from a school system where English is not the primary language should review the college's current English-proficiency requirements and accepted tests.

In the reported admissions cycle, Simpson admitted 86% of first-year applicants. That describes an earlier applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission. Applicants interested in a particular academic program, scholarship, or audition-based activity should check whether it has requirements beyond general admission and note any separate scholarship or enrollment deadlines.

What are the application fees and waivers at Simpson College?

Applicants should check Simpson College's current application instructions for the fee attached to the application route they choose. An application charge, if applicable, is separate from an enrollment deposit or later tuition bill.

Because application methods and applicant categories can have different terms, students seeking a fee waiver should ask the admissions office whether they qualify and how to obtain approval before submitting a payment. Transfer and graduate applicants should check the instructions for their own application rather than assume the first-year process applies to them.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Simpson College?

Prospective Simpson College students interested in ROTC should confirm a current cross-enrollment arrangement with the relevant ROTC program before making an enrollment decision. An ROTC option hosted by another institution would not be the same as a unit operated on Simpson's campus.

Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC have different host institutions, course schedules, eligibility rules, scholarship processes, and potential service commitments. A student considering participation should ask the host program whether Simpson students may enroll, how transportation and credits work, and when a scholarship or commissioning application must be completed. ROTC participation and a scholarship are separate decisions; neither should be assumed from college admission.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Simpson College?

Simpson College accepts transfer applications and generally considers college credit from accredited institutions. Transfer students may enter in the fall or spring. Admission to Simpson and acceptance of individual courses toward a particular degree are separate determinations.

Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended and to identify their intended major. Previous coursework may transfer as elective credit without meeting a major requirement, so a course-by-course evaluation matters more than a total-credit estimate. Simpson also recognizes certain examination-based and recommended credit pathways, including CLEP and American Council on Education recommendations, subject to its credit policies.

A prospective transfer student can request an official evaluation showing which courses meet general education, major, and elective requirements. Before enrolling, compare that evaluation with the current catalog's minimum Simpson-residency and graduation requirements, particularly if you hope to finish in a short time or are transferring into a sequenced program such as education.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Simpson College?

Simpson College offers opportunities for students to study internationally, including options that can differ in length and academic format. Students considering a semester, shorter program, or externally operated option should establish how it fits their degree plan before applying.

The key questions are whether the program is approved for Simpson credit, which courses will count toward a major, and how grants and scholarships apply to its costs. A short-term, faculty-led experience and a semester with a partner or third-party provider may have different fees, calendars, and financial-aid treatment. Students in tightly sequenced majors should begin planning early enough to avoid delaying required courses at home.

Simpson College Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1085
ACT range
31–33
136
Acceptance rate
86%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
86%
Iowa
80%
US
78%

22% of admitted students enrolled (381 of 1,764)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Simpson College Admissions

Applicants
Total: 2,046
Admission
Total: 1,764
Enrolled
Total: 381
Women
Men

How to Apply to Simpson College

Regular application deadline

August 15

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Simpson College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 286
Out-of-state: 88
International: 6

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 381
Transfer: 51

Simpson College Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1085

Median composite ACT score

24

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Simpson College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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