Principia College vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Principia College vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Wartburg College? 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 Principia College than Wartburg College ($18,248 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 15.5% lower than at Principia College ($11,750 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 32.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $8,430 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at Principia College than at Wartburg College (about $8,430 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at Principia College (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Principia College students ($40,336 vs. $30,402).

Principia College vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 80 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Wartburg College? 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).

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.