Head-to-Head Analysis
This analysis was generated using Azimuth's proprietary framework. Our data model transforms federal education data into actionable insights. Learn about founder Daniel Rogers, explore our research methodology, or see how we think about this data.
Updated January 2026 • Bolivar, MO & Oskaloosa, IA
When students choose between William Penn University in Iowa and Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, they're comparing two small private nonprofit institutions with similar missions but dramatically different completion rates. Both emphasize education and helping profession programs at comparable net prices.
But Southwest Baptist graduates 51% of its students while William Penn graduates just 29% — a 22-percentage-point gap that reshapes the entire value proposition.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$20,957
federal loans
$22,415
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$17,747
borrowed by parents
$15,943
borrowed by parents
William Penn is predominantly education-focused, with 19% of graduates earning degrees in education fields, followed by 17% in business and 9% in social sciences. Its largest programs include Sports and Kinesiology (38 graduates), Teacher Education (34), and Business Administration (34).
Southwest Baptist emphasizes health programs, with Registered Nursing leading at 56 graduates, followed by Sports and Kinesiology (36) and Teacher Education (33). Both schools prepare students for helping professions, though through different program concentrations.
For students prioritizing completion likelihood, Southwest Baptist University offers twice the graduation rate (51% vs 29%) at essentially the same cost. William Penn delivers higher earnings for those who graduate, but many students won't reach that outcome.
Southwest Baptist provides a more predictable path to degree completion, making it the safer choice for most families despite the lower earnings potential. The data points to Southwest Baptist as the better value when factoring in completion risk, but students who are confident in their ability to persist and want the higher earnings trajectory may prefer William Penn.
Individual circumstances matter, but completion probability should weigh heavily in your decision.
Key Takeaway
The numbers are close, but the best school depends on your goals, values, and career aspirations.
This comparison was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
This comparison uses Azimuth's proprietary ROI model based on U.S. Dept. of Education data. View Full Methodology.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid.
