Buena Vista University vs William Penn University: which has better ROI?
Buena Vista University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,384 in 94.7 years versus 157 years at William Penn University, on median earnings of $49,156 vs $48,936 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Buena Vista University | William Penn University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,846 | $22,601 |
| Total net cost | $75,384 | $90,404 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,156 | $48,936 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $22,415 |
| Payback | 94.7 yrs | 157 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$59,464 | -$78,884 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Buena Vista University or William Penn University?
Buena Vista University, at $18,846 a year after aid versus $22,601 — a gap of $3,755 a year, or $15,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Buena Vista University or William Penn University graduates earn more?
Buena Vista University graduates report a median $49,156 ten years after entry, $220 more than the $48,936 at William Penn University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Buena Vista University or William Penn University?
William Penn University: its completers carry a median $22,415 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Buena Vista University, a difference of $2,585. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Buena Vista University, against 33% at William Penn University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.