Northwestern College vs. Simpson College

Northwestern College and Simpson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
Simpson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern College (80.4% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Simpson College. Average net price is $23,282 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs Simpson College 69%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs Simpson College $48,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Simpson College
Acceptance rate
Northwestern College more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
Simpson College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Simpson College higher
Northwestern College940-1240
Simpson College890-1280
Average net price
Simpson College $3,065 less
Northwestern College$26,347
Simpson College$23,282
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $10,946 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Simpson College$47,656
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $10,946 less
Northwestern College$36,710
Simpson College$47,656
Graduation rate
Simpson College +3 pts
Northwestern College66%
Simpson College69%
Median earnings (10 years)
Simpson College +$9,600
Northwestern College$38,400
Simpson College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Simpson College 2,046
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Simpson College 1,764
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Simpson College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Simpson College 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Simpson College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Simpson College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Simpson College 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Simpson College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Simpson College Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • Simpson College
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • Simpson College 890-1280
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Simpson College 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Simpson College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • Simpson College Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Simpson College $10,500
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Simpson College $23,282
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • Simpson College $37,896
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Simpson College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Simpson College 69%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Simpson College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Simpson College 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Simpson College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Simpson College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Simpson College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Simpson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Simpson College Indianola, IA
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Simpson College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Simpson College 1,251
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • Simpson College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • Simpson College #436

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Simpson College in Indianola, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern College is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,251 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Simpson College is in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Simpson College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 3.7% lower than at Northwestern College ($10,500 vs. $10,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at Simpson College than at Northwestern College (about $10,946 more per year; $47,656 vs. $36,710).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College as at Simpson College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 61% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($37,896 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at Simpson College (23).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at Simpson College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Simpson College average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 21.6% at Simpson College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 77%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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