William Penn University vs Buena Vista University
William Penn University and Buena Vista University, both private institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. William Penn, located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, is a Quaker-affiliated university known for its liberal arts education and strong nursing program. Buena Vista, situated in Storm Lake, Iowa, emphasizes experiential learning and career preparation, with popular majors in business and education. While both universities have similar acceptance rates, William Penn boasts a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about their differences in student body demographics, popular majors, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Buena Vista University |
![]() William Penn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Storm Lake, Iowa | Oskaloosa, Iowa |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 61.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 66.0% | 57.7% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 963 - 1140 | 830 - 1030 |
ACT range | 18 - 25 | 16 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 57.0% | 40.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,749 | 1,387 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,154 | 800 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 237 | 335 |
Yield rate | 20.5% | 41.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $53,162 | $40,600 |
Average net price | $18,532 | $21,112 |
Tuition | $37,518 | $27,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,114
Meal plan:
$5,256
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Room/dormitory:
$3,206
Meal plan:
$4,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $31,137 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,221 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
72.0%
Average amount $5,750 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
Students taking out private loans |
29.0%
Average amount $5,551 |
96.0%
Average amount $2,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,506
Men 36.5% Women 63.5% |
1,304
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
Graduate students |
453
Men 16.3% Women 83.7% |
68
Men 61.8% Women 38.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 39.4% | N/A |
International students | 0.5% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 836 | 856 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Texas Nebraska Minnesota Arizona | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.8% | 32.1% |
Dropout rate | 36.8% | 67.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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