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Simpson College

Indianola, IA·Private·simpson.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Graduate Programs

Simpson College is a small private nonprofit university in Indianola, IA. Approximately 1,227 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 86% acceptance rate. Lake Red Rock is about 19 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 34/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Simpson College is a small private nonprofit university in Indianola, IA. Approximately 1,227 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 86% acceptance rate. Lake Red Rock is about 19 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 34/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

86%
Acceptance Rate
2,046 applications
32
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 31–33
$47,656
2024-25 Tuition
$21,936
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$10,500
Room & Board
19 meals/week
1,227
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
22%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
63%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity86% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Simpson College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics. The campus is 16 miles from Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc..

Athletics

NCAA D3

American Rivers

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Weather

Cold Climate

42°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Simpson College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc., 16 miles away. All are within 120 miles of campus.

50 mi away
35 skiable acres4 lifts
120 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake Red Rock is 19 miles from campus, giving Simpson College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Red Rock

Lake access within 19.4 miles

19 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Indianola, IA

Indianola has a cool climate, with winters averaging 22°F in Jan and summers peaking around 75°F in Jul.

22°Jan26°Feb38°Mar50°Apr61°May71°Jun75°Jul73°Aug65°Sep53°Oct39°Nov27°Dec

Station: INDIANOLA 1 SW · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Simpson College in IA earns a composite safety score of 34/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

34/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety304132
30/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
41/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
32/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$47,656
Fees
$906
Room & Board
$10,500
Total
$59,062
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$21,936avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

56 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralBachelor's
35 grads/yr
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
30 grads/yr$69,958
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
25 grads/yr$57,279
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
19 grads/yr$46,495
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's
19 grads/yr$46,237

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's11 grads$93,749
Computer Science
Bachelor's5 grads$91,318
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's18 grads$76,272
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's30 grads$69,958
Mathematics
Bachelor's3 grads$65,097
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's11 grads$63,790
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Bachelor's13 grads$61,219
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's25 grads$57,279
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's13 grads$54,919
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Master's6 grads$51,713

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Simpson College located?

Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA. The main campus address is 701 North C St, Indianola, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Simpson College?

Simpson College has an acceptance rate of 86%, making it accessible. Out of 2,046 applicants, 1,764 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,227 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Simpson College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Simpson College scored between 31 and 33 on the ACT, with a median of 32. About 2% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Simpson College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Simpson College charges $47,656/year in tuition. Including room and board ($10,500/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $44,030/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,936/year — what students actually pay. Use Simpson College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Simpson College have college sports?

Yes — Simpson College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the American Rivers. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Simpson College the right fit for me?

Whether Simpson College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (86% admit rate), avg net price ($21,936/year after aid), campus culture in Indianola, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Simpson College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Simpson College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Indianola, IA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
American Rivers
School Year Weather
Cold · 42°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
34/100
Nearest Airport
Des Moines, IA (DSM) · 13 mialso OTM (61 mi), FOD (88 mi)

Location

Indianola, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.