UNI vs. William Penn University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than William Penn University based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); William Penn University is in Oskaloosa, IA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Penn University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; William Penn University 15:1.

UNI vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 University of Northern Iowa than William Penn University ($16,437 vs. $22,740).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 17.7% lower than at University of Northern Iowa ($8,222 vs. $9,986).
• William Penn University is 199.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $19,814 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at William Penn University than at University of Northern Iowa (about $8,038 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Penn University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 244.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($20,194 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. William Penn University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 150 points higher than at William Penn University (1000).
• Incoming UNI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at William Penn University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; William Penn University 880/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; William Penn University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; William Penn University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at William Penn University (3.0).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than William Penn University (51.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 41.9% at William Penn University.

UNI vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than William Penn University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than William Penn University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than William Penn University graduates ($20,625 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Penn University graduates ($213 vs. $248).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Penn University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.