Simpson College

Founded in 1860, Simpson has prepared generations of students for successful careers, graduate schools or service work. Our beautiful campus sits on 75 acres in Indianola, Iowa and offers the best of both worlds: a nurturing academic environment that’s close to the career, internship and entertainment options available in Iowa’s capital city.

Most of our professors hold the highest degrees in their field, and they are committed to helping the more than 1,400 students achieve their dreams. Student life is exciting and fulfilling, with dozens of opportunities for students to participate, in everything from Greek life to intercollegiate and intramural sports. Simpson’s success in promoting quality programs and providing exceptional value have been recognized nationally by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges and U.S. News. This is a great college, and the more that people learn about Simpson, the more impressed they become. We invite you to visit and take a closer look.

Simpson College is an independent, selective, church-related, comprehensive liberal-arts college dedicated to excellence in higher education.

Simpson College serves the diverse communities of the Midwest and the Nation by providing academic and co-curricular programs designed to educate students of all ages and backgrounds. The Simpson community therefore aspires to become the exemplar of comprehensive liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

Students from around the globe have found their home and community at Simpson College. We are committed to helping you reach your full potential and discover who you are. You will find dedicated faculty committed to student learning, undergraduate research programs to give you a competitive edge, guaranteed internship opportunities and a vibrant campus community. It’s all part of the Simpson Experience.

Our Continuing & Graduate Programs have been designed with the multi-tasking adult in mind. Whether you have a job, or a family, or both, we offer high quality, affordable, flexible degree programs both online and in the evening that will fit your schedule.

The Continuing and Graduate Program Mission is to provide integrative learning that enables students of all ages to develop intellectual and practical skills to work, serve and participate effectively as citizens in a diverse and global environment while meeting the needs of post-traditional learners.

Our students are strongly encouraged to have a global educational experience, either for a full semester or for our popular three-week May Term. We have been recognized as one of the top 100 colleges in the nation for percentage of students who study abroad.

From Accounting to the Women's & Gender Studies Program, Simpson offers you a diverse menu of academic programs. Most of the professors who teach your classes hold the highest degrees in their field. Our small class sizes mean they will have the time, and take the time, to get know you. It’s all about creating the most successful learning environment for you.

You may not yet know what area you want to choose as a major. One of the great benefits of a Simpson education is that we will encourage you to sample several areas of study to find the one you are most interested in to choose a major and/or minor. The Simpson Engaged Citizen Curriculum is designed to help you develop the skills that are demanded by employers and graduate schools.

Our academic year consists of two, four-month semesters and one three-week term in May, which allows for specialized study on or off campus. Our innovative curriculum is designed to help students think critically, solve problems creatively and communicate effectively — exactly the kind of skills that employers and graduate schools want most.

A college education is a significant investment. At Simpson, we are dedicated to making that investment pay off in terms of future success. We also want to make you comfortable with the process. Keep this in mind: One hundred percent of our students receive some form of financial assistance. We have experts who will help you explore scholarship, grants and loan opportunities.

We are eager to help you with the paperwork and to answer your questions. Throughout our history, Simpson has firmly believed that financial barriers should never stand in the way of bright, motivated students.

Eighty-four percent of Simpson’s students participate in a campus activity. They are involved in one of our numerous campus organizations. They serve in student government. They hold positions as peer leaders. They join honor and professional groups. You can, too.

You can choose among dozens of clubs and organizations on campus. They include the Multicultural Student Alliance, Student Government Association, and Environmental Awareness Club. At Simpson, we also define success as serving others. It’s imbedded in the culture. We look out for each other, our community, even the world. You may find service opportunities by participating in the Religious Life Community, a student-led collection of ministries striving to intentionally promote and share a spirit of love on campus and beyond.

Student-led initiatives have led to the creation of organic gardens, End the Isms March, hydration stations and our free bicycle program. Simpson is an exciting, caring place, where you can make a difference.