Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Simpson College #1049 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,164 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson College in the 44.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Simpson College sits in the 48.5 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Simpson College's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across access, mobility, and return on investment. Graduates earn about $3,164 less than similar students at comparable institutions, with median earnings four years after enrollment of $56,509.
Azimuth ranks Simpson College #1049 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Indianola, IA, Simpson College enrolls roughly 1,227 undergraduates. Retention is 81.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 63.3%, reflecting solid student persistence and completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts-focused institution. Where Simpson College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Simpson College #762 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,509, and Simpson College sits in the 44.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This earnings performance reflects the institution's strength in Business, which anchors the degree portfolio and drives consistent post-graduation financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Simpson College enrolls 34.6% Pell-eligible students and 23.4% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution in the 23.3 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Simpson College in the 37.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition and net-price positioning typical of private master's colleges. For admitted students seeking strong long-term financial outcomes at a residential liberal arts institution, Simpson College delivers measurable return on investment grounded in solid earnings and career readiness.
Simpson College's published cost of attendance is $61,227. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $17,941, middle-income families pay around $19,176, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,586. Azimuth ranks Simpson College #885 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and Simpson's aid structure shapes how families experience the cost across income levels. Simpson College participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants. The institution's aid approach aims to bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay, though individual aid packages vary within each income band. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,702; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,509, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Simpson College is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private liberal arts experience in IA, with outcomes that consistently outperform expectations for similar institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,509, placing Simpson College in the 31.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $3,164 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 44.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 34.6% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 23.4% being first-generation students. This combination of access and strong outcomes makes Simpson College particularly compelling for students from these backgrounds. Fit depends on alignment with the college's academic strengths — Business represents 18% of degrees — and comfort with the published cost of $26,586 for higher-income families. Students whose interests match these areas will find among the strongest returns in Midwest.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Simpson College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
14 graduates
Computer Science
10 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
17 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
40 graduates
Mathematics
10 graduates
Simpson College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college with applied career focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates, followed by Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, General Studies, Teacher Education, and Criminal Justice.
Business represents 18% of degrees awarded, with Social Sciences and Education providing additional breadth across 27 total programs. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied professional fields.
Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $93,749 four years after enrollment, with 14 graduates. Accounting graduates earn $76,272 and Business Administration reaches $69,958, signaling consistent strength in career-oriented majors.
Among the most popular programs, Business Administration graduates earn $69,958, while General Studies and Teacher Education deliver $46,237 and $46,495 respectively, demonstrating that Simpson College's largest cohorts align with solid economic outcomes. The program portfolio reflects a direct-to-workforce orientation where graduates enter professional and business roles immediately after completion.
The concentration in Business and related applied fields supports predictable career pathways and employer recruitment in the Midwest region. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional labor-market conditions and wage trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southwestern Adventist University Similar quality tier (#29441 ranked) | TX | 78% | $52,946 | #29441 | Compare |
Art Center College Of Design Similar quality tier (#29443 ranked) | CA | 75% | $71,958 | #29443 | Compare |
Wisconsin Lutheran College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29440 ranked) | WI | 78% | $54,664 | #29440 | Compare |
Spalding University Similar quality tier (#29439 ranked) | KY | 99% | $49,438 | #29439 | Compare |
Mckendree University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29445 ranked) | IL | 72% | $58,572 | #29445 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Simpson College's published cost of attendance is $61,227. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $17,941, middle-income families pay around $19,176, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,586.
Azimuth ranks Simpson College #885 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and Simpson's aid structure shapes how families experience the cost across income levels.
Simpson College participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants.
The institution's aid approach aims to bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay, though individual aid packages vary within each income band. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,702; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,509, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Simpson College earn median 4-year earnings of $56,509, placing Simpson College in the 31.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,164 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson College in the 44.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Simpson College #762 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Simpson College's program portfolio centers on business and professional fields that align with strong early-career outcomes.
Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $69,958, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and General Studies together form a substantial share of the graduate cohort, with General Studies graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,237 at 0.9x the benchmark.
Teacher Education and Criminal Justice round out the top five, with Teacher Education earning $46,495 and Criminal Justice earning $57,279. This concentration in Business and related professional fields reflects Simpson's institutional focus and contributes to the consistent early-career earnings outcomes across the graduate population.
