Simpson College - Overview
Simpson College Offers Interactive Academics, Diverse Activities, and a Historic, yet Modern Campus
Since 1860, Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, has been cultivating the intellectual spirit of thousands of students, and continues to do so today. As the college nears the celebration of its 150th anniversary, its history - steeped in rich tradition - is all the more evident.
At Simpson College, students have their choice of more than 50 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Simpson offers small class sizes, which means students interact daily with professors who know them personally. Professors at Simpson are passionate educators who are dedicated to the success of their students, yet their interests are as varied as their fields of study. They do everything from competitive cycling, acting as a political analyst for a metro news station, and playing in rock bands to teaching music in Africa, acting in community theatre, and publishing books and articles.
One of the signatures of a Simpson College education is the abundance and diversity of extracurricular activities. Students not only develop academically, but also have the chance to play on championship athletic teams, become class senators, contribute to the 40,000 hours the Simpson College community volunteers each year, write for the nationally recognized student newspaper, perform in an opera, hit the airwaves on KSTM campus radio, or get fit playing intramural sports. With over 100 organizations on the college's Indianola campus, there is something for everyone.
Beyond the extraordinary opportunities, Simpson College offers a stunning physical setting to call home. The 85-acre tree-lined campus boasts historic brick buildings, winding sidewalks, and plenty of open space. At the same time, the Iowa school offers all the modern day conveniences students are looking for. The campus is 100 percent wireless and the variety of housing options (residence halls, suites, apartments, theme houses, and Greek houses) offer air conditioning, study areas, computer labs, laundry facilities, cable, vending machines, and common areas.
Experience Small Town Comfort and Big City Opportunities at the Indianola, Iowa, Campus of Simpson College
Located in Indianola, Iowa, only 12 miles south of Iowa's capital city, Des Moines (population 500,000), Simpson College offers the comfort of a small town mixed with all of the exciting opportunities of city life. In just minutes, students can be in the heart of some of the best entertainment and employment options in the Midwest.
With more than 4,000 businesses in the Des Moines metro area, Simpson students have the option of interning with Fortune 500 companies, volunteering for non-profit organizations, or doing research at world-renowned facilities like Great Ape Trust of Iowa. More than 70 percent of Simpson graduates take advantage of the college's incredible location and complete at least one internship in their four years.
Starting in students' freshman year and continuing beyond graduation, Simpson College's Office of Career Services assists students in exploring the right careers for them and helps them make those careers a reality. The office assists students with identifying career options, acquiring internships, resume writing, and preparing for job interviews. In today's competitive job market, Simpson College graduates have a distinct advantage - professional experience and a highly respected degree.
Indianola's proximity to Iowa's capital city also gives students the chance to explore the fun side of city life. Taking in a baseball game, shopping at the trendy East Village or the two-million-square-foot Jordan Creek Town Center, attending concerts and Broadway musicals, or just checking out one of the many cultural attractions the city has to offer - students have no shortage of opportunities. There's a reason "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" magazine named Des Moines one of the top ten cities in the country to live and work.
Students Expand Their Horizons at Simpson College with a Variety of Study Abroad Options
A Simpson College education offers students a wide selection of learning situations - and those opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Study abroad at Simpson is an opportunity for students to travel outside of Indianola, the Midwest, and the United States; expand their horizons; and discover the world.
Today's employers are looking for people who have a global perspective and direct experience with other cultures, and Simpson makes it easy to study abroad. In fact, Simpson College ranks in the top 100 colleges in the nation for the highest percentage of students studying abroad. The Iowa school excels because it offers many different options to countries throughout the world. It's up to students to decide which adventure they'd like to take! Simpson College offers several semester-long study abroad programs that allow students to learn with fellow Simpson students under the guidance of a Simpson faculty member.
Students can live and learn in one of the world's greatest historic, cultural, political, and economic centers in London, England; be immersed in German culture while enjoying the benefits of a larger metropolitan area in Schorndorf, Germany; take in the splendor of the Iguazu Falls, Perito Moreno Glacier, Andes Mountains, and the charming capital city of Buenos Aires as they explore Rosario, Argentina; learn about Thai culture, volunteer at an orphanage, or ride bareback on an Asian elephant in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand; or live in the sunny South Pacific on a tropical island while taking classes in English at the University of French Polynesia in Tahiti.
In addition, Simpson College offers an extensive study abroad program through its three-week May term. Simpson's international May term trips have taken students from Indianola to nearly every continent including such countries as New Zealand, China, Madagascar, France, Namibia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Greece, and Ghana.