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Simpson College vs Loras College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Indianola IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Dubuque IA

The verdict

Simpson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $87,744 in 8 years versus 8.3 years at Loras College, on median earnings of $59,274 vs $58,289 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSimpson CollegeLoras College
Net price / yr$21,936$20,716
Total net cost$87,744$82,864
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,274$58,289
Median debt$26,000$26,000
Payback8 yrs8.3 yrs
20-year net return$130,536$115,716

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Simpson College or Loras College?

Loras College, at $20,716 a year after aid versus $21,936 — a gap of $1,220 a year, or $4,880 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Simpson College or Loras College graduates earn more?

Simpson College graduates report a median $59,274 ten years after entry, $985 more than the $58,289 at Loras 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, Simpson College or Loras College?

Completers at both borrow a median $26,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Loras College, against 63% at Simpson College. 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.

Simpson College vs Loras College: frequently asked questions

Is Simpson College or Loras College a better value?
Simpson College. It clears its $87,744 net cost in about 8 years versus 8.3 years at Loras College, on median earnings of $59,274 vs $58,289 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Simpson College or Loras College?
Loras College: $20,716/yr net price after aid versus $21,936/yr at Simpson College — a difference of $1,220 a year, or about $4,880 over four years.
Do Simpson College or Loras College graduates earn more?
Simpson College graduates earn a median $59,274 ten years after entry, versus $58,289 at Loras College — a $985 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.