Simpson College’s liberal arts tradition provides the foundation for a broad academic offering across on-campus, online and graduate study. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 80 majors, minors, concentrations and pre-professional programs. Academic areas include business and economics, chemistry and physics, life sciences, mathematics and computer science, media and communication, music, theatre arts, teacher education, and political science, sociology and criminal justice. Honors students add interdisciplinary courses and research fellowships, while the Center for Exploratory Studies helps undecided students find an academic direction.
Learning combines theory with practical application through research, study abroad, internships and other immersive experiences. A 13:1 student-teacher ratio supports personalized attention, while faculty and staff assist students with classroom work and career planning. The 85-acre campus sits in the heart of Indianola, a central Iowa city with housing, dining, clubs, performing and creative arts, 22 varsity sports, intramural activities, parks and trails. Des Moines is about 20 minutes away, giving students access to Iowa’s capital city while retaining a residential campus setting.
International students can engage with Simpson’s Office of International Education and Study Abroad through May Term travel courses and semester programs. Simpson offers access to more than 60 ISEP programs in dozens of countries, plus faculty-led courses in locations including Brazil, Italy, Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Study-abroad scholarships include more than 40 Walt Scholarships annually. Horizons supports program applications, passport and health information, and scholarship submissions. Provider deadlines vary, so early planning matters.