William Penn University vs. UNK

Should I go to William Penn University or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if William Penn University or UNK is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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William Penn University vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
William Penn University University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

 William Penn University UNK
Location Oskaloosa, IA Kearney, NE
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,536 6,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #896 #574
Religious Affiliation Friends - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmpenn.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 William Penn University UNK
Tuition (In State) $28,750 $6,450
Tuition (Out of State) $28,750 $12,418
Room & Board $7,712 $11,936
Avg Net Price $22,361 $16,249
Avg Grant Aid $18,434 $8,779
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

 William Penn University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,112 7,253
Admitted 634 6,222
Acceptance Rate 57% 85.8%
Enrolled % 46.7% 14.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 18/25
SAT Range 830/1100 970/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 William Penn University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (45%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 William Penn University UNK
Graduation Rate 30% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $219

Diversity

 William Penn University UNK
% Men 3% 8%
% Women 2% 22%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 79%
% Black 18% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 William Penn University UNK
% In-State 36% 86%
% Out-of-State 59% 9%

Campus

 William Penn University UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than William Penn University based on total student enrollment (6,017 students vs. 1,536 students)

William Penn University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Penn University or UNK?

  • William Penn University is 345.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($28,750.00 vs. $6,450.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 131.5% higher at William Penn University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($28,750.00 vs. $12,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than William Penn University ($16,249 vs. $22,361)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 54.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($7,712 vs. $11,936)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at William Penn University than University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 110% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($18,434 vs. $8,779)

William Penn University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William Penn University or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or William Penn University .

  • Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at William Penn University (3.0)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than William Penn University (57%)

William Penn University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, William Penn University or UNK? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNK and William Penn University.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than William Penn University (61% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from William Penn University earn on average $1,200 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than William Penn University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $24,000)
  • UNK graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than William Penn University graduates. ($219 vs. $248)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Penn University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/