Liberal Arts and Sciences at Simpson College

Indianola, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,635/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #321 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $496K $496K $472K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 28
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$184,848
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,924
52% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,836
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,292
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,635 at Simpson College come in 17% above the national median of $37,172 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

At 2.7x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $25,836 against $43,635/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #321 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Simpson College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Simpson College

Simpson College accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,130 in Indianola, IA. The average net cost of $88,924 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Simpson College →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Simpson College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Simpson College?
At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Simpson College?
The 52% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $184,848. At a net cost of $88,924, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →