Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Simpson College

Simpson College's liberal arts program significantly outperforms national expectations, with graduates earning $43,635—about $7,300 more than the typical liberal arts graduate nationwide and placing in the 83rd percentile. Within Iowa, the results are more competitive: these earnings sit above the state median but trail Luther College by a narrow margin. Still, Simpson graduates out-earn peers at Iowa's flagship university and several other established programs, suggesting the college's small-school environment translates into tangible career advantages.

The $27,000 debt load aligns exactly with both national and state medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that's manageable by current standards. Graduates would dedicate roughly 62% of their first year's salary to clearing debt—not ideal, but workable given the stronger-than-average starting salaries. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these figures without cherry-picking outliers.

For families considering Simpson, this program represents a solid middle-tier option among Iowa liberal arts degrees. Your child would likely graduate with typical debt but better-than-average earning potential, particularly compared to the broader national pool. The real question is whether Simpson's tuition premium over state schools justifies the modest earnings edge—run the net price calculator to see what you'd actually pay.