Indianola, IA · Private University
Is Simpson College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,274
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$46,212
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$46,212
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$184,848
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.28x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,231
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Simpson College graduates earn $14,274 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Simpson College ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
30 graduates
65 graduates
28 graduates
25 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Simpson College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Simpson College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $70,950) and the lowest (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $40,292) is $30,658/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $70,950 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,543 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,369 | 1.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,909 | 1.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,733 | 1.1x |
| Human Services, General(1yr data) | $46,184 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,666 | 0.9x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $41,925 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,987 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLowest | $40,292 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Simpson College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $59,274 10 years after starting, $14,274 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.