Saint Ambrose University vs Simpson College: which has better ROI?
Simpson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $87,744 in 8 years versus 8.8 years at Saint Ambrose University, on median earnings of $59,274 vs $59,531 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Ambrose University | Simpson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,691 | $21,936 |
| Total net cost | $98,764 | $87,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,531 | $59,274 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $124,656 | $130,536 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Ambrose University or Simpson College?
Simpson College, at $21,936 a year after aid versus $24,691 — a gap of $2,755 a year, or $11,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Ambrose University or Simpson College graduates earn more?
Saint Ambrose University graduates report a median $59,531 ten years after entry, $257 more than the $59,274 at Simpson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Saint Ambrose University or Simpson College?
Saint Ambrose University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Simpson College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Simpson College, against 61% at Saint Ambrose University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.