Simpson College vs. Bethel University

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

Simpson College
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Simpson College (86.2% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Simpson College. Average net price is $23,282 vs $31,738 at Bethel University.
  • Graduation: Simpson College 69% vs Bethel University 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Simpson College $48,000 vs Bethel University $50,100 (median).
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Key differences

Simpson College Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Simpson College more selective
Simpson College86.2%
Bethel University87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel University higher
Simpson College890-1280
Bethel University1190-1300
Average net price
Simpson College $8,456 less
Simpson College$23,282
Bethel University$31,738
In-state tuition
Bethel University $3,430 less
Simpson College$47,656
Bethel University$44,226
Out-of-state tuition
Bethel University $3,430 less
Simpson College$47,656
Bethel University$44,226
Graduation rate
Bethel University +4 pts
Simpson College69%
Bethel University73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethel University +$2,100
Simpson College$48,000
Bethel University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Simpson College 2,046
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • Admitted
  • Simpson College 1,764
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • Acceptance rate
  • Simpson College 86.2%
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Simpson College 21.6%
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simpson College 1090
  • Bethel University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simpson College 23
  • Bethel University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Simpson College 3.62
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Simpson College A-
  • Bethel University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Simpson College Average
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Simpson College
  • Bethel University
  • SAT range
  • Simpson College 890-1280
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • ACT range
  • Simpson College 20-27
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Simpson College Test optional
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Simpson College Aug 15, 2027
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Simpson College $47,656
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Room & board
  • Simpson College $10,500
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • Average net price
  • Simpson College $23,282
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • Average grant aid
  • Simpson College $37,896
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Simpson College 100%
  • Bethel University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Simpson College 69%
  • Bethel University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Simpson College $48,000
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Simpson College 77%
  • Bethel University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Simpson College $27,000
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Simpson College $279
  • Bethel University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Simpson College 12:1
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Simpson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Simpson College Indianola, IA
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Simpson College Distant Town
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Simpson College 1,251
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • Type
  • Simpson College Private 4 Year
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Simpson College #436
  • Bethel University #387

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bethel University is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 1,251 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Simpson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson College 12:1; Bethel University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 13.7% lower than at Bethel University ($10,500 vs. $12,170).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Simpson College than at Bethel University (about $3,430 more per year; $47,656 vs. $44,226).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Bethel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 41% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($37,896 vs. $26,886).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bethel University than at Simpson College (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Simpson College and Bethel University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; Bethel University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Simpson College average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Bethel University (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 26.9% at Bethel University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $2,600 lower median loan debt than Simpson College graduates ($24,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson College graduates ($252 vs. $279).
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson College students, three years after graduation (80% 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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