William Penn University vs University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
William Penn University and University of Northern Iowa, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to prospective students. William Penn, a private university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, boasts a small, close-knit community with an acceptance rate of 85% and a focus on liberal arts and professional studies. In contrast, the University of Northern Iowa, a public university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is larger and more comprehensive, with an acceptance rate of 88% and a wide range of academic programs, including strong offerings in the arts, sciences, and business. While both universities offer a supportive learning environment, they differ in terms of student body demographics, popular majors, 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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![]() University of Northern Iowa |
![]() William Penn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Falls, 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 | 81.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.8% | 57.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 980 - 1190 | 830 - 1030 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 16 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | 40.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,772 | 1,387 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,094 | 800 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,553 | 335 |
Yield rate | 37.9% | 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 |
In state:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
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$40,600 |
Average net price | $15,231 | $21,112 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
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$27,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
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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) |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,221 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
96.0%
Average amount $2,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
1,304
Men 52.3% Women 47.7% |
Graduate students |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
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 | 9.5% | N/A |
International students | 2.4% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 3,412 | 856 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.9% | 32.1% |
Dropout rate | 9.5% | 67.2% |
Transferred out | 20.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (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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