Simpson University: $38,522 Tuition

$38,522Tuition

751Students

42%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$54,340Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindLiberal ArtsNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Christ and Missionary Alliance

About Simpson University

Simpson University serves 751 students in the small city of Redding, nestled in Northern California's mountains. This Christian university traces its roots to 1921 and maintains strong ties to the Christ and Missionary Alliance denomination. The school emphasizes integrating faith with learning across traditional liberal arts and professional programs. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay intimate and professors know their students personally.

Students pay an average net price of $27,923 after financial aid, substantially less than the sticker price of $38,522. About 42% receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need among the student body. Graduates earn a median of $54,340 ten years after graduation, which helps explain the manageable median debt load of $18,750. Monthly loan payments average just $199, making this education financially accessible for many families.

The Red Hawks compete in 22 varsity sports through the NJCAA, with athletic scholarships totaling nearly $10 million across 420 student-athletes. However, academic outcomes present challenges, with only 42% graduating within six years and a 62% freshman retention rate. The campus houses 450 students, creating a tight-knit community where 78% of students come from California.

Academics & Faculty

Simpson University centers its academics around Christian faith integration across all disciplines. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom environments where professors know students personally. However, only 41.7% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing rigorous coursework with the university's emphasis on spiritual development. The school draws strength from its education and business programs, which connect classroom theory to real-world ministry and marketplace applications. Students benefit from small class sizes that encourage discussion and mentorship. The curriculum requires chapel attendance and biblical studies courses regardless of major. This approach produces graduates who often pursue careers in Christian ministry, education, and nonprofit leadership.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 44.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 41.7%
Retention Rate: 62.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $54,340
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$84,161
Accounting and Related Services.	Bachelor	$56,415
Education, General.	Master	$50,270
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.	Master	$47,260
Human Resources Management and Services.	Master	$44,971
Human Resources Management and Services.	Bachelor	$40,281
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$36,042
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$31,765
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$24,421
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology.	Bachelor	$19,227

View all 39 programs →

Campus Life

Simpson sits on a tree-lined campus about 160 miles north of Sacramento in Redding, a mid-sized Northern California city. With housing capacity for 450 students but total enrollment of 751, around 60% of students live on campus. The campus features red-brick buildings that reflect the school's Red Hawks mascot, surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Cascade Mountains.

Redding's climate means warm, dry summers where you'll need sunscreen and mild winters where a light jacket suffices. Students often spend weekends hiking nearby trails or visiting Shasta Lake. The 22 varsity sports programs keep 420 athletes busy, creating a strong athletic culture on the small campus. Chapel attendance remains a central tradition at this Christian university. With 77% of students from California, many go home on weekends, though campus life revolves around residence hall activities and intramural sports. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally, creating an intimate academic environment where missing class gets noticed.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 450 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1921

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 37°–57°F
July Avg: 67°–99°F
Annual Precipitation: 33.5"
Annual Snowfall: 2.6"

Student Demographics

Simpson draws primarily from California, with over three-quarters of students coming from in-state. The student body reflects California's diversity, with nearly half identifying as students of color and over a quarter being Hispanic. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for smaller Christian universities that emphasize education and ministry programs. More than 40% receive Pell Grants, showing Simpson's commitment to serving students from working-class families. The Christ and Missionary Alliance affiliation attracts students seeking faith-integrated education in Northern California's more affordable setting compared to coastal Christian colleges.

Men: 44.1%
Women: 55.9%
White: 47.4%
Black: 3.3%
Hispanic: 27.8%
Asian: 4.4%
In-State Students: 77.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 42.2%

Location

Simpson University sits in Redding, California, about 160 miles north of Sacramento. The city has around 95,000 residents and serves as the gateway to Northern California's outdoor recreation areas. Students live near Shasta Lake and the Cascade Range, with Mount Shasta visible on clear days. Redding experiences over 260 sunny days annually and temperatures that regularly exceed 100 degrees in summer. The area attracts outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, fishing, and water sports rather than typical college town activities. About 78% of students come from within California. The campus sits in a residential area away from downtown business districts. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Simpson University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Redding, California 96003-8606

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $54,340
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,928
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $35,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 66.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $199/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $18,750

Frequently Asked Questions

How selective is Simpson University?

Simpson University maintains a 62.39% retention rate, suggesting moderate selectivity among incoming students. The small Christian university in Redding enrolls just 751 students total, creating an intimate academic environment with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

What does Simpson University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $27,923 annually, less than the sticker price of $38,522 tuition. Nearly half of students (42.21%) receive Pell Grants, and graduates leave with a manageable median debt of $18,750.

What academic programs is Simpson University known for?

Simpson University operates as a Christian liberal arts institution affiliated with the Christ and Missionary Alliance denomination, founded in 1921. The university serves a diverse student body that is 27.83% Hispanic and offers personalized attention through its 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

How do Simpson University graduates perform in the job market?

Graduates achieve a strong 94.6% employment rate and earn a median salary of $54,340 ten years after graduation. However, only 41.70% complete their degree within six years, reflecting the challenges many students face at this small Christian university.

What is campus life like at Simpson University?

The campus houses up to 450 students in residence halls, serving a student body that is 55.93% female and 77.67% from California. Simpson fields 22 varsity sports teams competing as the Red Hawks in NJCAA athletics, with 420 total student-athletes.

Does Simpson University offer significant athletic scholarships?

Simpson University awards an impressive $9,773,579 in athletic scholarships across its 22 varsity sports programs. With 420 total student-athletes out of 751 total enrollment, athletics plays a major role in campus culture at this small Christian institution.