Simpson University vs. St. Ambrose University

Deciding between Simpson University and Saint Ambrose University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Saint Ambrose University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Simpson University Redding, CA
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • Setting
  • Simpson University Rural Fringe
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Simpson University 992
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • Type
  • Simpson University Private 4 Year
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Simpson University
  • St. Ambrose University #441
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Simpson University Christ and Missionary Alliance Church
  • St. Ambrose University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Simpson University Non-profit
  • St. Ambrose University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Simpson University
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Simpson University $39,708
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Simpson University $39,708
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Room & Board
  • Simpson University $11,900
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • Average Net Price
  • Simpson University $28,653
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Simpson University $25,937
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Simpson University 100%
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Simpson University 823
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • Admitted
  • Simpson University 708
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Simpson University 86%
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Simpson University 24.2%
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simpson University 1070
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simpson University 24
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Simpson University 3.4
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Simpson University B+
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Simpson University Moderate
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Simpson University
  • St. Ambrose University
  • ACT Range
  • Simpson University 21/28
  • St. Ambrose University 20/25
  • SAT Range
  • Simpson University 960/1185
  • St. Ambrose University 930/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Simpson University Test-free
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Simpson University Aug 1, 2027
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Simpson University 17:1
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Simpson University
    • Business (24%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Simpson University 43%
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Simpson University $38,200
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Simpson University 67%
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Simpson University $16,668
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Simpson University $172
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Simpson University 52%
  • St. Ambrose University 43%
  • % Women
  • Simpson University 48%
  • St. Ambrose University 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Simpson University Medium
  • St. Ambrose University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Simpson University No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • % White
  • Simpson University 60%
  • St. Ambrose University 80%
  • % Asian
  • Simpson University 4%
  • St. Ambrose University 1%
  • % Black
  • Simpson University 4%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Simpson University 12%
  • St. Ambrose University 6%
  • % Native American
  • Simpson University 4%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Simpson University 0%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Simpson University 3%
  • St. Ambrose University 2%
  • % International
  • Simpson University 2%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Simpson University 12%
  • St. Ambrose University 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Simpson University 75%
  • St. Ambrose University 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Simpson University 22%
  • St. Ambrose University 60%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Simpson University Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Simpson University No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Simpson University Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Simpson University Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Simpson University No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Learn More
  • Simpson University Details
  • St. Ambrose University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson University in Redding, CA with Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Ambrose University is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (2,498 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Simpson University is located in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
  • Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson University 17:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

Simpson University vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University or St. Ambrose University ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Ambrose University than Simpson University ($25,345 vs. $28,653).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 11% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($11,900 vs. $13,378).
  • Simpson University is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Ambrose University (about $3,050 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $36,658.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Simpson University than at Saint Ambrose University (about $3,050 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $36,658.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University as at Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Saint Ambrose University students ($25,937 vs. $25,877).

Simpson University vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University or St. Ambrose University ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Ambrose University and Simpson University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson University (1070) is 20 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
  • Incoming Simpson University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at St. Ambrose University ).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 960/1185; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 21/28; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson University - Test-free; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Simpson University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at Simpson University vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

Simpson University vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson University and St. Ambrose University ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Saint Ambrose University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Simpson University's (43%).
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $9,096 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($16,668 vs. $25,764).
  • Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($172 vs. $266).
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.