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William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Known for business — close-knit campus

William Penn University is a private town institution in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 996.

A small campus of 1.4K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

29% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,936 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,115.

Established
1873
Mascot
Statesmen
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

57%Acceptance
996SAT Avg
1,391Students
13:1Student:Faculty
29%Grad Rate
$48,936Earnings 10yr
$22,115Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate57.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 996

Reading & WritingMid: 475
440540
MathMid: 455
390560

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 19
1622

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$28,750
Room & Board$7,712
Books & Supplies$1,504
Total Cost of Attendance$40,749
Average Net Price$22,115
Median Debt at Graduation$22,415
Monthly Payment (10yr)$238

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,613
$30–48K$19,318
$48–75K$21,898
$75–110K$22,454
$110K+$24,384

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

12.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (42)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

56%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,391
Gender Split
49% / 51%
Women / Men
First Generation
38%
Pell Grant Recipients
46%

Race & Ethnicity

White 56%
Black 18%
Hispanic 10%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate29.2%
Freshman Retention56.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,189
10 Years$48,936

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Statesmen

BasketballBasketball teamsBasketball tournament

History & Fun Facts

  • History Originally founded as Penn College, William Penn University opened on September 24, 1873.
  • The college's name was changed to William Penn College in 1933.
  • In 2000, the name was changed again from William Penn College to William Penn University.
  • In 1916, a fire destroyed the original campus and caused two deaths when a four-ton bell crashed through the main building.
  • In 1995, William Penn's "College for Working Adults" was founded, which enrolls non-traditional students in an evening program of accelerated study.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from IA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
184 mi(319 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
226 mi(392 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
255 mi(442 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City177 mi
STL St Louis214 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul248 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1111 mi · ~32h 6m drive
New York, NY971 mi · ~28h 3m drive
Hartford, CT1031 mi · ~29h 47m drive
Providence, RI1095 mi · ~31h 38m drive
Albany, NY973 mi · ~28h 7m drive
Syracuse, NY852 mi · ~24h 37m drive
Rochester, NY779 mi · ~22h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Philadelphia, PA920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Pittsburgh, PA663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Newark, NJ962 mi · ~27h 47m drive
Washington, DC840 mi · ~24h 16m drive
Baltimore, MD855 mi · ~24h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
Charlotte, NC765 mi · ~22h 6m drive
Raleigh, NC847 mi · ~24h 28m drive
Miami, FL1289 mi · ~37h 14m drive
Orlando, FL1087 mi · ~31h 24m drive
Tampa, FL1088 mi · ~31h 26m drive
Nashville, TN476 mi · ~13h 45m drive
New Orleans, LA798 mi · ~23h 3m drive
Richmond, VA851 mi · ~24h 35m drive
Chicago, IL262 mi · ~7h 34m drive
Detroit, MI499 mi · ~14h 25m drive
Minneapolis, MN255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
St. Louis, MO226 mi · ~6h 32m drive
Kansas City, MO184 mi · ~5h 19m drive
Indianapolis, IN357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Columbus, OH514 mi · ~14h 51m drive
Cleveland, OH567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Milwaukee, WI270 mi · ~7h 48m drive
Dallas, TX632 mi · ~18h 15m drive
Houston, TX812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
Austin, TX814 mi · ~23h 31m drive
San Antonio, TX884 mi · ~25h 32m drive
Los Angeles, CA1480 mi · ~42h 45m drive
San Francisco, CA1597 mi · ~46h 8m drive
San Diego, CA1470 mi · ~42h 28m drive
Seattle, WA1517 mi · ~43h 49m drive
Portland, OR1526 mi · ~44h 5m drive
Denver, CO657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Phoenix, AZ1193 mi · ~34h 28m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Honolulu, HI3992 mi · ~115h 19m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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