Columbia College vs. William Penn University

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than William Penn University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); William Penn University is in Oskaloosa, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Penn University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; William Penn University 15:1.

Columbia College vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 William Penn University than Columbia College ($22,740 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 60.1% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($8,222 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Penn University (about $4,338 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $29,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Columbia College than at William Penn University (about $4,338 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $29,750.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at William Penn University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 12.8% larger than aid received by William Penn University students ($22,780 vs. $20,194).

Columbia College vs. William Penn University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilliam Penn University 880/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilliam Penn University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; William Penn University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at William Penn University (3.0).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than William Penn University (51.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 41.9% at William Penn University.

Columbia College vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than William Penn University's (30%).
• Graduates from William Penn University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Penn University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia 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 Columbia College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More William Penn University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 46%)

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.