About Simpson

Quick Facts

Founded:
In 1860 by members of the Iowa United Methodist Church

Accreditation
Simpson College has been fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association since 1913. The Higher Learning Commission may be contacted at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504. You may view our listing on their website.

Location:
In Indianola, Iowa, a community of 13,000 people, 12 miles south of the state capital, Des Moines. Additional facilities in West Des Moines and Ankeny.

Character:
United Methodist related, independent, undergraduate, coeducational, liberal arts college

Campus:
Seventy-five acre campus with 34 major buildings, including: College Hall, Wallace Hall, Mary Berry Hall, George Washington Carver Science Center, Dunn Library, Brenton Student Center, Smith Memorial Chapel, Blank Performing Arts Center, Cowles Center, Amy Robertson Music Center and Henry H. and Thomas H. McNeill Hall

Academic Year:
Two four-month semesters and one three-week term in May, which allows for specialized study on or off campus

Number of Faculty:
One professor for every 14 students with 90 percent of the 87-member, full-time faculty having earned the highest degree in their fields

Number of Students:
1485 full-time students and 550 part-time students

Admission:
Application form, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores and recommendation from principal or guidance counselor are considered in acceptance process.

Costs:
Costs for the 2011-2012 academic year are: tuition and fees $28,123; standard room costs $3,860; standard board charges $4,103

Majors

A  current list of majors and programs can be found on our academics page.

Extracurricular Organizations:
Eighty-four percent of students are involved in student government, newspaper,  radio, intercollegiate and intramural sports, Greek life, departmental activities, honor and professional groups, music, drama, religion and other interest groups. 

Intercollegiate Sports:
Men: baseball,* basketball,* cross country, football,* golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, wrestling;* Women: basketball*, cross country,* golf,* softball,* soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field,* volleyball* *Recent Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion (since 1987).

Honors and Professional Societies:
Alpha Lambda Delta; Alpha Mu Gamma; Alpha Sigma Lambda; Beta Beta Beta; Epsilon Sigma; Mu Phi Epsilon; Omicron Delta Kappa; Phi Alpha Theta; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; Student Education Association.

Greek Organizations:
Fraternities include: Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Theta Psi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Sororities include: Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi.

Distinctive Facts:

Simpson is recognized for its quality programs and value by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges and by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, Simpson ranks among the nation’s top 100 colleges in percentage of students who study abroad, according to U.S. News and World Report. Simpson is also the summer home of internationally recognized Des Moines Metro Opera. Noted scientist George Washington Carver began his college career at Simpson in 1890.

Head Administrators:
Chairman, Board of Trustees: Fred Hubbell
President: John W. Byrd
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean: Steve Griffith
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students: James Thorius
Vice President for Business and Finance: Ken Birkenholtz
Vice President for College Advancement: Bob Lane
Vice President for Enrollment: Deb Tierney
Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer: Kelley Bradder

Last Updated: 11/18/11