Blackburn College vs. William Penn University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Penn University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,425 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); William Penn University is in Oskaloosa, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Penn University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; William Penn University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or William Penn University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than William Penn University ($18,460 vs. $22,740).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 17.1% lower than at Blackburn College ($8,222 vs. $9,915).
• William Penn University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $1,601 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at William Penn University than at Blackburn College (about $1,601 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at William Penn University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($20,194 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. William Penn University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or William Penn University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William Penn University and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 10 points higher than at William Penn University (1000).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at William Penn University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; William Penn University 880/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; William Penn University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; William Penn University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at William Penn University (3.0).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than William Penn University (51.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 41.9% at William Penn University.

Blackburn College vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and William Penn University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than William Penn University's (30%).
• Graduates from William Penn University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Penn University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, William Penn University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Penn University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.