Simpson College

Simpson students are curious.

They challenge themselves to make an impact in their communities, influence the world around them, and are ready for anything. Whether you’re in the classroom, on the field, in a club, or serving others, Simpson gives you the tools needed to make a difference in the world. Our faculty and staff push you to innovate and try new things. Our extracurricular offerings help students develop the skills employers and graduate programs are looking for. Our students put these skills to work by taking advantage of our proximity to Des Moines, one of the fastest-growing major metros in the country. 

The academic experience
Simpson’s innovative learning environment is designed to give you the hands-on opportunities necessary to develop into the effective communicators, innovators, and problem solvers that employers and graduate schools are looking for. It’s why we encourage students to study around the world and participate in internships, research, and service learning. It’s learning brought to life. Our professors are experienced and dedicated to their fields of study. You’ll learn directly from your professors, not graduate assistants. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, these acclaimed scholars will know you by name and will provide you with opportunities that broaden and enrich your experience in and out of the classroom. 

Our distinctive May Term is a three-week intensive course at the end of each academic year. You can stay on campus and immerse yourself in a particular subject, or you can choose from one of many study abroad experiences that will take you around the world. Students have studied biology in Madagascar, history in Rome, and business in China. Other recent offerings have included trips to Australia, Costa Rica, Greece, Italy, Namibia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. 

Simpson’s internship program gives you a strategic advantage in a competitive job market or when pursuing graduate studies. You will benefit from the plentiful internship opportunities in the Des Moines metro area as well as the vast network of alumni willing to open doors to students from their alma mater. 

Thriving student life 
With more than 75 student clubs and organizations, you’ll find multiple opportunities to sharpen your leadership skills, develop current interests, or discover new ones. Simpson takes pride in offering an array of residential student housing options, including traditional residence halls, suite-style residence halls, on-campus apartments, and Greek residences.

Opportunities for involvement and leadership are numerous and diverse. Nationally ranked athletic teams, widely acclaimed music and theatre programs, an award-winning newspaper, and a national champion debate team are just some of the opportunities at your disposal. Nearly 90% of students participate in an extracurricular activity. Simpson’s 19 varsity athletic programs compete for conference, regional, and NCAA Division III championships each year. Multicultural and international organizations highlight many traditions and offer programs and events throughout the year. Simpson’s Campus Activity Board (CAB) brings national and local acts to campus and sponsors free entertainment.

Beautiful campus
Simpson College is steeped in tradition but not bound by it. The beauty of our buildings and facilities is matched by our commitment to providing the technology and amenities for 21^st-century learning. The Kent Campus Center is the hub of campus and a popular destination for students. It features a café-bakery, Tyler’s Grille, and a coffee shop featuring Starbucks products. A multimillion-dollar expansion of Simpson’s athletic and fitness center provides a state-of-the-art fitness, wellness, and strength and conditioning facility. A renovation and expansion of Blank Performing Arts Center provides an exceptional fine arts facility that includes the 125-seat Barnum Studio Theatre and the 500-seat Pote Theatre. Pote Theatre is also home to the summer season of the internationally acclaimed Des Moines Metro Opera.

Ideal location
Our location is one of Simpson’s most important assets and offers you the best of both worlds: small-town security and charm while only minutes from the excitement of a major city. Indianola is a vibrant community of 15,000 residents 12 miles from Iowa’s capital and largest metropolitan city, Des Moines. Indianola is home to the National Balloon Classic, a major hot air ballooning event; hundreds of acres of parks and trails; and the Des Moines Metro Opera. Recognized nationally as one of the top cities for young professionals, Des Moines offers world-class theatre and music venues, several semi-professional sports teams, artisan shopping, and ethnic food districts.

Investing in your future
Your education is one of the most important investments you will ever make. When you choose a college, you want assurance that it will result in your future success. Our alumni offer that proof. Many of our most accomplished graduates credit their time at Simpson for putting them on the path toward success. Simpson’s efforts to keep quality high and cost affordable are among the distinctions for which we are most proud. One hundred percent of our students receive financial assistance, and Simpson’s outstanding scholarship program includes numerous academic, special-interest, and fine arts awards. 

Invitation to visit
There’s no better way to truly get a feel for what Simpson has to offer than by spending time on campus. You will appreciate the beauty of the campus, the friendliness of the people, and the quality of our strong liberal arts education. If you live more than 250 miles from campus, you may be eligible for our fly-in program. Take the first step toward your success. Schedule your visit online at simpson.edu/visit.