Mathematics at Simpson College

Simpson College's mathematics program carries an estimated $21,750 in debt—manageable enough at roughly 42 cents per dollar earned, but these figures come from peer institutions since the school's graduate cohort is too small to report directly. Similar bachelor's math programs in Iowa show a wide spread, from Iowa State's $51,422 to Northern Iowa's $42,729, suggesting outcomes depend heavily on individual program strength and student preparation.

The estimated first-year earnings of $51,422 align with Iowa's state median and sit slightly above the national benchmark of $48,772. That's encouraging on paper, though Simpson's 89% admission rate and what appears to be a strong SAT average (1410) create an interesting profile—the school is accessible yet enrolls reasonably well-prepared students. Whether a math degree here translates to the higher end of Iowa outcomes or something closer to the middle depends on factors the limited data can't reveal: faculty connections, internship pipelines, and how well students position themselves for quantitative careers.

The debt load won't be crushing if earnings materialize near these estimates, but you're essentially betting on a program without its own track record. If your child thrives in smaller environments and can leverage Simpson's resources effectively, the numbers suggest reasonable value. If they're choosing between this and a program with documented outcomes—especially one at the higher end of Iowa's range—that transparency matters when you're committing to four years and $20,000-plus in loans.