Degree Dividend
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Waldorf University vs William Penn University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Forest City IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Oskaloosa IA

The verdict

Waldorf University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,772 in 28.1 years versus 157 years at William Penn University, on median earnings of $51,165 vs $48,936 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWaldorf UniversityWilliam Penn University
Net price / yr$19,693$22,601
Total net cost$78,772$90,404
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,165$48,936
Median debt$18,752$22,415
Payback28.1 yrs157 yrs
20-year net return-$22,672-$78,884

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Waldorf University or William Penn University?

Waldorf University, at $19,693 a year after aid versus $22,601 — a gap of $2,908 a year, or $11,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Waldorf University or William Penn University graduates earn more?

Waldorf University graduates report a median $51,165 ten years after entry, $2,229 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, Waldorf University or William Penn University?

Waldorf University: its completers carry a median $18,752 in federal loans versus $22,415 at William Penn University, a difference of $3,663. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

33% of students finish at William Penn University, against 21% at Waldorf 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.

Waldorf University vs William Penn University: frequently asked questions

Is Waldorf University or William Penn University a better value?
Waldorf University. It clears its $78,772 net cost in about 28.1 years versus 157 years at William Penn University, on median earnings of $51,165 vs $48,936 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Waldorf University or William Penn University?
Waldorf University: $19,693/yr net price after aid versus $22,601/yr at William Penn University — a difference of $2,908 a year, or about $11,632 over four years.
Do Waldorf University or William Penn University graduates earn more?
Waldorf University graduates earn a median $51,165 ten years after entry, versus $48,936 at William Penn University — a $2,229 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.