Admit rate has ranged 55%–58% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
William Penn University, a small private institution in Oskaloosa, Iowa, offers a tight-knit, community-focused education with an emphasis on leadership and practical skills. With an acceptance rate hovering around 52%, it attracts students who thrive in a supportive, hands-on environment, though its graduation rates lag behind national averages. The university stands out for its affordability and strong financial aid packages, making it a practical choice for first-generation and working-class students.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,301
In-state tuition
$29,750
Out-of-state tuition
$29,750
Acceptance Rate
51.9%
Most Popular Majors
Elementary Education, Business Admin, Nursing
Student-Faculty Ratio
15:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
30%
Students Receiving Aid
99%
Median Early-Career Salary
$34,675
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,936
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$22,415
Graduation rate
33%
First-year retention
58%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
51%
Pell (lower-income) share
71%
First-generation share
38%
Endowment / student
$6,788
Financial health
1.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business/Commerce, General$58,402
Human Resources Management and Services$46,478
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
3.07
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
83
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
18°F
Annual rain
36.9"
Annual snow
25.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
48
Scholarly works
1,721
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.6%
Bottom → top quintile
17%
From bottom quintile
10%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at William Penn University?
William Penn University's acceptance rate is approximately 52% (Oskaloosa, IA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for William Penn University?
Admitted students at William Penn University typically score 880–1110 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does William Penn University cost?
At William Penn University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,601 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend William Penn University?
William Penn University enrolls approximately 1,301 undergraduate students.
Where is William Penn University located?
William Penn University is located in Oskaloosa, IA.
Admissions
William Penn University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 51.9% (677 admitted out of 1,305 applicants in 2024). Test scores are considered but not prohibitive: the middle 50% of admitted students score between 22-27 on the ACT, and those with a 1140 SAT or 22 ACT are nearly guaranteed admission. The university does not emphasize high school GPA as heavily as some institutions, focusing instead on Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone.. Notably, 99% of students receive some form of financial aid, which likely contributes to its accessible admissions profile.
William Penn offers 20+ majors across seven academic divisions, with a particular emphasis on elementary education, business administration, and nursing—its three most popular programs. The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, fostering close mentorship. While the university promotes leadership and technology across its curriculum, its (well below the national average for private colleges) suggests academic challenges for some students. Programs are pragmatic, designed to align with workforce needs, and the institution emphasizes that students join a 'family' rather than just earn a degree.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life at William Penn revolves around its small-campus camaraderie in rural Oskaloosa. The university leans heavily into traditions like annual celebrations marking the end of the school year, and its historic chapel hosts everything from spiritual gatherings to roller-skating events. With no Greek life, social activities center on athletics (NAIA Division) and clubs. Students describe it as a place where 'everyone knows your name,' though the rural setting means limited off-campus entertainment. The vibe is unpretentious and community-oriented, with frequent references to a 'family' atmosphere in promotional materials.
Post-graduation metrics are mixed: six-year graduation rates hover around 30%, with female students graduating at higher rates (43%) than the overall cohort. Alumni earn a median salary of $34,675 early in their careers, rising to $40,100 after seven years—below the midpoint for four-year colleges ($60,377). The low graduation rate suggests significant attrition, but those who persist often enter fields like education and business. The university does not heavily promote elite graduate school placements or corporate recruitment, instead emphasizing practical career preparation for regional employment.
William Penn distinguishes itself with aggressive financial aid: 99% of students receive grants, averaging $15,224 annually, and the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $22,361. The university meets 94% of demonstrated need through a combination of institutional grants ($12,230 average) and federal loans. Notably, only 5% of students leave without any aid, making it one of Iowa’s more affordable private options. The net price calculator and transparent 'shopping sheet' help families anticipate costs, though the low graduation rates suggest some students may not fully recoup their investment.
William Penn’s defining trait is its unapologetic focus on accessibility and community. Unlike elite liberal arts colleges, it serves students who might otherwise overlook higher education—first-gen, working-class, and those seeking a second chance. The trade-off is clear: lower selectivity and middling outcomes, but also minimal debt burdens and a no-frills support system. Its identity is rooted in Quaker heritage (though non-sectarian), emphasizing service and ethical leadership. For the right student—one who values close relationships over prestige—it offers a pragmatic path to a degree without the cutthroat competition of larger universities.
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