William Penn University vs Iowa State
William Penn University and Iowa State University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to students with diverse aspirations. William Penn, a private university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, fosters a close-knit community with a focus on personalized attention and undergraduate education. In contrast, Iowa State, a public research university in Ames, Iowa, boasts a larger student body, extensive research opportunities, and a wide range of academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. While both universities offer a variety of majors, William Penn emphasizes liberal arts and professional studies, while Iowa State excels in STEM fields and agriculture. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key differences between these two esteemed institutions to determine which one aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Iowa State University |
![]() William Penn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Ames, Iowa | Oskaloosa, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.1% | 57.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1083 - 1330 | 830 - 1030 |
ACT range | 21 - 28 | 16 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | 40.0% |
Total number of applicants | 20,357 | 1,387 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,550 | 800 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,387 | 335 |
Yield rate | 29.0% | 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 |
In state:
$22,152
Out of state:
$37,964
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$40,600 |
Average net price | $15,422 | $21,112 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,324
Out of state:
$24,136
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$27,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,590
Meal plan:
$4,498
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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) |
87.0%
Average amount $8,833 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,221 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,202 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $11,630 |
96.0%
Average amount $2,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
25,808
Men 56.1% Women 43.9% |
1,304
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
Graduate students |
4,900
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
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 | N/A | N/A |
International students | 8.2% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 9,400 | 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 | 18:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.0% | 32.1% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 67.2% |
Transferred out | 16.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (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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