William Penn University
Oskaloosa, Iowa · Private Nonprofit · 51.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 31/100 · Poor Value
William Penn University, a small private nonprofit in Oskaloosa, Iowa, posts an ROI score of 31 -- Poor Value tier. Founded in 1873 by Iowa Quakers, WPU enrolls 1,301 students. Sticker tuition is $29,750 with net price of $22,601 producing a $90,404 four-year all-in. Six-year median earnings are $36,900, climbing to $48,936 by year ten. The 16.5-year payback period and 0.607 debt-to-earnings ratio (median debt $22,415) reflect modest but workable debt loads. The most damaging input is completion rate (12) at just 32.6% -- one of the lower completion rates in this batch. The 64% three-year repayment rate is also weak. WPU operates a substantial athletic-recruiting model that brings in students who are not always academically ready, contributing to the low completion. Strong programs include Business Administration (B grade with $62,162 first-year earnings -- impressive for a regional private) and Nursing (limited data but $76,625 four-year out earnings). Education and most other programs post D-grade outcomes driven by debt levels relative to typical Iowa teacher and human services wages.
The data raises concerns about William Penn University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score31/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate32.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period16.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
William Penn University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $29,750/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,750/yr |
| Average net price | $22,601/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $90,404 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,936 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,415 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $238 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 32.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,301 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at William Penn University is $29,750/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,601/year, or roughly $90,404 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,608/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,916/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,415 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $238 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,936 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.61 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,608 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,378 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,560 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,245 |
| $110,001+ | $25,916 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-$30,000 face a net price of $20,608. With 47% Pell rate, this is a major segment of the student body. Four-year cost of about $82,000 against $36,900 six-year earnings is difficult math; the cost gap to public alternatives like Iowa State or Northern Iowa is substantial. Lower-income families should aggressively compare aid packages.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $19,378 -- the lowest tier, with meaningful aid leverage. The $48,001-$75,000 bracket steps up modestly to $20,560. These brackets see the most aid traction at WPU; even so, the comparison against Iowa public tuition (under $10,000 in-state) makes the value case difficult absent strong merit or athletic aid.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $24,245 and $110,001-plus pays $25,916. Higher-income families lose the aid advantage and pay near-sticker. At this price point, WPU competes directly with stronger private peers in the region (Drake, Cornell College, Coe, Central) which generally post stronger ROI metrics. The value play is thin without athletic or specific program fit.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at William Penn University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $45,099 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,791 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $46,244 | D |
| Psychology | $49,929 | D |
| Biology | $53,683 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $76,625 | - |
| Sociology | $49,077 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is WPU's standout program, graduating 46 students with first-year earnings of $62,162 climbing to $79,791 by year four. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 0.434 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B grade. These outcomes are genuinely strong for a small Iowa private; graduates appear to land in regional Iowa business roles with solid wage trajectories. This program delivers on the institution's value proposition.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is the largest program with 62 graduates. First-year earnings of $40,049 climb only modestly to $45,099 by year four -- consistent with Iowa teacher pay scales. Median debt of $32,642 (the highest in the program portfolio) produces a 0.815 ratio and D grade. The high debt level reflects WPU's private-school cost; for prospective Iowa teachers, the debt-to-wage math at WPU is substantially worse than at public alternatives like UNI.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 35 students with $30,314 first-year earnings, $46,244 four-year out. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 0.891 ratio and D grade. The kinesiology program's enrollment is partly driven by WPU's athletic recruitment; bachelor's-only outcomes are weak, and graduate study (PT/OT/AT) is the typical value-creation path.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 21 students with $35,122 first-year earnings, $49,929 four-year out. Median debt of $27,443 produces a 0.781 ratio and D grade. Bachelor's-only psychology outcomes are constrained without graduate study; the WPU debt level relative to Iowa wages makes the math difficult. Students planning grad school should weigh undergraduate borrowing carefully.
Biology
Biology graduates 17 students with $36,449 first-year earnings, $53,683 four-year out. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 0.741 ratio and D grade. As elsewhere, biology often serves as pre-health pipeline; the bachelor's-only earnings figure understates value for students who continue to medical, PA, or other professional programs.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 57.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 51.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 430-540 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 450-570 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-22 |
| Enrollment | 1,301 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 47.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,394 |
WPU's admission rate is 51.9% -- moderately selective on paper but heavily influenced by athletic recruiting. SAT mid-ranges of 430-540 math and 450-570 reading, with ACT 16-22, indicate a student body with below-average academic preparation. The relatively low admit rate paired with weak test scores suggests selective athletic admission rather than academic selectivity. The 33% completion rate is consistent with a heavily athlete-recruited student body where many students leave when athletic eligibility ends.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
WPU's listed peers include Briar Cliff University and Buena Vista University in Iowa (closest direct comparisons -- small Iowa privates with similar scale and similar athletic-driven enrollment models), University of Pikeville in Kentucky, Belhaven University in Mississippi, and McMurry University in Texas. Within this peer cluster of small Christian-tradition privates, WPU's score of 31 is roughly mid-pack. Buena Vista typically posts somewhat higher completion. The cluster as a whole faces structural challenges: high sticker prices, modest endowments, regional earnings ceilings, and student bodies with below-flagship academic profiles.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Penn University (this school) | 31 | $22,601 | $48,936 |
| Briar Cliff University | 46 | $23,907 | $54,475 |
| Buena Vista University | 39 | $18,846 | $49,156 |
| University of Pikeville | 33 | $20,311 | $48,231 |
| McMurry University | 31 | $19,581 | $48,779 |
| Belhaven University | 29 | $15,676 | $46,440 |
Who Thrives Here
WPU enrolls 1,301 students with a Pell Grant rate of 47.3% -- a fairly high-need student body. The fit case is narrow: a student-athlete using WPU as a path to combine athletic competition with degree completion, a future Iowa teacher accepting the trade-off of higher private cost for smaller classes and faith-tradition community, or a business-track student aimed at the strong B-grade Business program. Outcomes are highly major-dependent; students should target Business or Nursing rather than the broader liberal arts portfolio.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about William Penn University. With a net cost of $22,601 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,936 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 32.6% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,415 against $48,936 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.