Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Simpson University #898 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,494 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson University in the 64.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Simpson University #735 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Simpson University #898 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Simpson University is a private baccalaureate college located in Redding, CA, enrolling approximately 809 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 60.4% freshman retention rate and a 48.8% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence and degree completion outcomes. The composite reflects a balanced profile across Azimuth's four pillars. Azimuth ranks Simpson University #735 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,494 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson University in the 64.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Psychology, which shapes both enrollment patterns and post-graduation career pathways for most students. Access and affordability sit in the middle ranges of the composite. Simpson University enrolls 44.1% Pell-eligible students and 37.6% first-generation students, reflecting a moderately mixed enrollment. Azimuth ranks Simpson University in the 39.8 percentile for access and the 41.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 37.9 percentile, indicating that graduates achieve career transitions and earnings growth at rates comparable to peer institutions. For students seeking a small, focused liberal arts experience with solid long-term financial outcomes, Simpson University offers a straightforward value proposition grounded in reasonable cost and predictable earnings trajectories.
Simpson University's published cost of attendance is $54,688. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,511, middle-income families pay around $28,479, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,163. Azimuth ranks Simpson University #828 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Simpson University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost through grants and scholarships. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,112; 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 $59,198, median federal debt of $18,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $212 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Simpson University is a strong fit for students drawn to psychology and related fields who want a private university experience in CA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,198, placing Simpson University in the 39.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $1,494 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson University in the 64.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 44.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.6% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Simpson University in the 9.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 86.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors psychology and related fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive among nonprofit four-year institutions.
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 University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
48 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
34 graduates
Psychology, General
66 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
22 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
6 graduates
Simpson University's program mix is anchored in psychology and the social sciences, a signature aligned with the institution's liberal arts identity and regional mission. Psychology, General is the largest program with 66 graduates, followed by Nursing, Business Administration, General Studies, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 9 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting a focused portfolio where depth matters more than breadth. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in social-science and helping-profession fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $113,623 four years after enrollment across 48 graduates, followed by Business Administration with median earnings of $58,478 and Psychology, General with median earnings of $56,902. General Studies rounds out the higher-earning cluster with 22 graduates earning $52,311.
These programs represent the institution's strongest financial outcomes, though earnings across the portfolio reflect the reality that psychology, education, and social-service fields typically command more moderate salaries than engineering or computer science. Many of Simpson University's dominant programs are grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory.
Psychology, counseling, and education majors frequently lead to graduate or professional credentials—master's degrees, clinical licensure, or doctoral study—that substantially shift long-term earnings beyond what the four-year snapshot captures. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market demand, particularly in California's education and mental-health sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Keuka College Similar quality tier (#26032 ranked) | NY | 68% | $58,289 | #26032 | Compare |
University Of Mount Olive Similar quality tier (#26023 ranked) | NC | 76% | $47,139 | #26023 | Compare |
King University Similar quality tier (#26036 ranked) | TN | 100% | $59,831 | #26036 | Compare |
Marian University Similar quality tier (#26038 ranked) | IN | 95% | $58,759 | #26038 | Compare |
Salem College Similar quality tier (#26039 ranked) | NC | 77% | $44,640 | #26039 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Simpson University's published cost of attendance is $54,688. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,511, middle-income families pay around $28,479, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,163.
Azimuth ranks Simpson University #828 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Simpson University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages.
The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost through grants and scholarships. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,112; 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 $59,198, median federal debt of $18,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $212 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 University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,198, placing Simpson University in the 39.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,494 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Simpson University in the 64.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Simpson University #735 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Psychology is the dominant program family at Simpson University, reflecting the institution's academic focus.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 66 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,902, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 48 students with median 4-year earnings of $113,623, while Business Administration and General Studies round out the program portfolio with 34 and 22 graduates respectively.
These programs collectively shape Simpson University's earnings profile and career outcomes for students across the institution.
