William Penn University vs Naropa University
William Penn University and Naropa University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. William Penn, a private Quaker university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, boasts a 100% acceptance rate, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. Naropa, a private Buddhist-inspired university in Boulder, Colorado, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 75%. Both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including business, education, and psychology at William Penn, and contemplative psychology, environmental studies, and religious studies at Naropa. While William Penn's student body is predominantly White (78%), Naropa's student population is more diverse, with 58% White, 15% Hispanic, and 10% Asian students. With graduation rates of 44% and 50% respectively, both universities are committed to supporting their students in achieving their academic goals
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![]() Naropa University |
![]() William Penn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boulder, Colorado | Oskaloosa, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 54.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 100.0% | 57.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 830 - 1030 |
ACT range | N/A | 16 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 40.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 148 | 1,387 |
Total number of admissions given out | 148 | 800 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 29 | 335 |
Yield rate | 19.6% | 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 | $53,858 | $40,600 |
Average net price | $29,924 | $21,112 |
Tuition | $34,600 | $27,200 |
Room & board |
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) |
92.0%
Average amount $22,372 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,221 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $11,330 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
96.0%
Average amount $2,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
325
Men 26.5% Women 73.5% |
1,304
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
Graduate students |
639
Men 25.2% Women 74.8% |
68
Men 61.8% Women 38.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 40.7% | N/A |
International students | 2.4% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 104 | 856 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado California New York Arizona Georgia | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 34.2% | 32.1% |
Dropout rate | 23.7% | 67.2% |
Transferred out | 42.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master'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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