Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Indianola, Iowa
88.9% Acceptance Rate
Simpson College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.9%Acceptance Rate
3.62Avg GPA
1410Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$58,937Annual Cost
$59,274Grad Salary
32.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.9%
Avg GPA
3.62
Avg SAT
1410
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1370–1440
ACT Middle 50%
31–33
Need-Based Aid
32.7% receive Pell
Simpson College is a private, liberal arts institution in Iowa known for its emphasis on experiential learning, mentorship, and personalized education. Admissions are holistic, looking for individuals who are intellectually engaged and ready to participate in a small-group, collaborative learning environment. The college values applicants who have demonstrated leadership in their high school extracurriculars and who possess a desire for community-driven success.
When applying, students should focus on highlighting their curiosity and their history of initiative, whether in academic clubs, sports, or local service projects. The admissions team looks for candidates who will thrive in a supportive, professor-led learning environment. A strong application includes evidence of the student's ability to think critically and express themselves effectively, showing that they are prepared to make the most of the personalized attention available at Simpson.
Simpson College Acceptance Rate
Simpson College runs an open-access admission policy. With a 88.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.17
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Simpson College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Simpson College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Simpson College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2026/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Simpson College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Simpson College is 3.62. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.32 and 3.62? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.82–4.02.Simpson College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.22 – 3.41
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.21
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is reported between roughly 86%-91% depending on source; average admitted GPA is about 3.56-3.62; test-optional pathway is available for applicants with a 3.25+ cumulative GPA.
- All accepted full-time first-years are automatically considered for merit scholarships starting at a minimum of $27,000 for Fall 2026 - no separate scholarship application needed.
- Simpson Promise: full tuition covered for admitted students with family adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less.
- February 15 priority deadline applies to talent scholarships (theatre, music, graphic design - each requiring audition/portfolio/interview) and to the Culver Fellows (politics/public service) and Wesley Service Scholars programs.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Simpson College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Simpson College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Simpson College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Simpson College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Simpson College Without SAT or ACT?
Simpson College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Simpson College Average SAT Score: 1410
The average SAT score of admitted students at Simpson College is 1410 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1410 — Very Competitive
A 1410 average puts Simpson College well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1440 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Simpson College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1370, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Simpson College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1410 | 1370 | 1440 |
Below 1370, you're behind most admitted students; at 1440 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Simpson College with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of Simpson College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Simpson College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Simpson College is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 28 | 31 |
| ACT English | 33 | 30 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Can I get into Simpson College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Simpson College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Simpson College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Simpson College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Simpson College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Don't write a separate scholarship essay - your admission essay is already doing that job
Every accepted full-time first-year is automatically considered for merit scholarships starting at a minimum of $27,000 for Fall 2026, based on the same academic and personal file submitted for admission - there's no extra application to unlock the base award. Write your Common App or Simpson essay with an eye toward academic seriousness and personal initiative, since it's doing double duty as your scholarship pitch, not just your admission one.
If your family's adjusted gross income is at or under $100,000, name it and lean into the Simpson Promise
The Simpson Promise pledges full-tuition coverage for admitted students whose family AGI is $100,000 or below - a genuinely rare structural commitment among small private colleges. If you fall in this range, say so directly to your admission counselor or in financial aid conversations, since it isn't automatically flagged from the essay and can be more consequential to your final cost than any essay line.
Chase the talent scholarships on their own separate track and don't miss the February 15 priority deadline
Simpson stacks up to $2,500/year in additional talent scholarships - theatre (interview required), music (audition required for vocal/instrumental/keyboard), and graphic design (portfolio plus personal statement) - on top of the academic merit award, but each requires its own submission and an explicit priority deadline of February 15. If you have any performance or design background, apply for the specific track even if it's not your intended major; most can be combined with academic scholarships.
Reference the Engaged Citizenship curriculum and Simpson Colloquium by name
Simpson's core curriculum is built around "Engaged Citizenship," anchored by the first-year Simpson Colloquium and a required Senior Capstone - naming these specifically (rather than generic "liberal arts" language) in your essay or interview signals real research, not just campus photos. If you're arts-minded, Simpson is also home to the only fully student-cast undergraduate opera program in the U.S., a genuine differentiator worth mentioning if relevant.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume the merit money is automatic and equal for everyone - the base award floor ($27,000 for Fall 2026) is a minimum, not a ceiling, and students who don't also apply to the talent-scholarship tracks (theatre, music, graphic design, Culver Fellows for politics/public service, Wesley Service Scholars) by the February 15 priority date routinely leave $500-$2,500/year in additional aid unclaimed simply because they didn't know it existed outside the main application.
Simpson College Profile
Full Name
Simpson College
City
Indianola
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
50125
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Simpson College Degree Worth It?
At $58,937/year against a $59,274 median graduate salary, Simpson College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.59%.
How much does a degree from Simpson College Cost?
The sticker price is $58,937/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
32.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 70.5% take federal loans at Simpson College. File your FAFSA early and list Simpson College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Simpson College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,274. That's about 46% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Simpson College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Simpson College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Simpson College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Simpson College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Simpson College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Simpson College run about $59,274 a year.
At about $58,937 a year, Simpson College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 32.7% receive a Pell Grant at Simpson College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 88.9%, Simpson College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Simpson College average a 3.62 GPA.
Simpson College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.32 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.22, Simpson College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Simpson College — aim above 1410, ideally within the 1370–1440 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Simpson College is December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2026/12/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.