Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities at Simpson College?
At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 →