Skip to content

Northwestern College vs Simpson College

Northwestern College is a private college in Orange City, IA. Simpson College is a private college in Indianola, IA. Northwestern College admits about 80% of applicants and Simpson College about 86%, making Northwestern College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,936 a year at Simpson College after aid, and about $25,907 at Northwestern College. About 65% of students graduate at Northwestern College, compared with 64% at Simpson College. Ten years after enrolling, Simpson College alumni earn a median of about $59,274, against $49,802 for Northwestern College.

Northwestern College

Orange City, IA · Private

Simpson College

Indianola, IA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Orange City, IA
Indianola, IA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,175
1,227
Acceptance rate
80%
86%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.33–3.83
3.29–3.79
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1240
890–1280
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
31–33
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,907
$21,936
Full cost / yr
$49,783
$61,227
In-state tuition
$36,710
$47,656
Out-of-state tuition
$36,710
$47,656
Application fee
Not reported
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$27,059
$17,941
$30k - $48k
$19,503
$15,764
$48k - $75k
$20,572
$19,176
$75k - $110k
$24,265
$22,468
Over $110k
$29,539
$26,586
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
64%
Freshman retention
74%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,731
$49,946
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,802
$59,274
Median debt at graduation
$23,249
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
35%
First-generation students
13%
23%
International students
4%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Northwestern College or Simpson College harder to get into?
Northwestern College is harder to get into. It admits about 80% of applicants, compared with 86% at Simpson College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern College or Simpson College?
Simpson College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,936 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,907 at Northwestern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Northwestern College and Simpson College?
Before aid, Northwestern College costs about $49,783 a year and Simpson College about $61,227. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Northwestern College or Simpson College?
Simpson College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $17,941 there, against about $27,059 at Northwestern College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Northwestern College or Simpson College?
Simpson College is the larger of the two, with about 1,227 undergraduates against 1,175 at Northwestern College.
Does Northwestern College or Simpson College have a better graduation rate?
Northwestern College has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 64% at Simpson College.
Do graduates of Northwestern College or Simpson College earn more?
Simpson College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,274 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,802 for Northwestern College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Northwestern College and Simpson College require SAT or ACT scores?
Northwestern College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Simpson College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Northwestern College and Simpson College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1240 at Northwestern College and 890–1280 at Simpson College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school