
Courtesy of Simpson University
Simpson University is a private Christian university in Redding, California, with roots in a Bible institute founded in Seattle in 1921. Named for Albert Benjamin Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the institution later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to Redding in 1989.
Its development from a Bible institute into a university helps explain its present mix of undergraduate degrees, professional preparation, graduate study and theological education. Applicants researching an older transcript or a historical program may encounter the former name Simpson College.
Simpson University offers liberal arts, professional and theological study rather than organizing its curriculum around a large number of research colleges. Its academic offerings include traditional undergraduate programs, nursing, education, adult-focused study and graduate theological education through Tozer Seminary.
Undergraduate subjects represented in its programs include business, psychology, biology, communication, music and biblical studies. Students considering nursing or teacher preparation should examine the current catalog for admission steps beyond general university admission, required placements and the sequence of courses needed for professional eligibility. Adult and transfer applicants should also check which programs use different calendars or delivery formats; a degree offered by the university is not necessarily available in every format.
Simpson University's main campus is in Redding, a Northern California city in Shasta County. Its setting differs substantially from a large metropolitan campus: students have access to city services and outdoor recreation, but transportation and off-campus work options should be evaluated in the context of a smaller regional market.
Redding Municipal Airport is the nearby commercial airport. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, and a car can be useful for commuting or reaching activities beyond campus. Applicants planning to live off campus should compare their likely travel time and transportation costs with the residential option.
Simpson University identifies as a Christian institution affiliated with The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Its stated educational purpose connects academic study with Christian faith, character development and service.
That affiliation is relevant to more than the university's history: applicants should review the current catalog and student handbook to understand any faith-related curriculum, community expectations and opportunities for worship or service. The university's mission describes what it seeks to provide; it should not be read as a measured outcome for every student.
Name of the institution
Simpson UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (The Christian and Missionary Alliance)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1921Simpson University is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData 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.