William Penn University vs Clarke University
William Penn University and Clarke 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. Clarke, situated in Dubuque, Iowa, is a Catholic university with a focus on the humanities, social sciences, and healthcare professions. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Clarke University |
![]() William Penn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Dubuque, Iowa | Oskaloosa, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.8% | 57.7% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 900 - 1120 | 830 - 1030 |
ACT range | 19 - 23 | 16 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 40.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,006 | 1,387 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,781 | 800 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 183 | 335 |
Yield rate | 10.3% | 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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,241 | $40,600 |
Average net price | $25,414 | $21,112 |
Tuition | $35,740 | $27,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,900
Meal plan:
$5,500
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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 $23,968 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,221 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $8,599 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
Students taking out private loans |
27.0%
Average amount $12,203 |
96.0%
Average amount $2,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
717
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
1,304
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
Graduate students |
171
Men 22.2% Women 77.8% |
68
Men 61.8% Women 38.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 4.6% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 536 | 856 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.5% | 32.1% |
Dropout rate | 6.2% | 67.2% |
Transferred out | 39.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (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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