AU vs. Drake

Should I go to American University or Drake University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Drake is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Georgetown Fordham Butler Syracuse Creighton University Mason ISU Lafayette College DU Drexel William & Mary
American University vs. Drake University comparison
American University Drake University College 3 College 4
American University Drake University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU Drake
Location Washington, DC Des Moines, IA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,885 4,685
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #149
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu drake.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU Drake
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $47,564
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $47,564
Room & Board $15,706 $11,570
Avg Net Price $41,369 $30,333
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $31,274
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

AU Drake
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 8,621
Admitted 7,926 5,796
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 67.2%
Enrolled % 22.2% 12.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 25/30
SAT Range 1290/1430 1110/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

AU Drake
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

AU Drake
Graduation Rate 77% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $68,500
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $268

Diversity

AU Drake
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 79%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 7% 7%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

AU Drake
% In-State 2% 35%
% Out-of-State 94% 63%

Campus

AU Drake
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than Drake based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 4,685 students)

AU vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Drake?

  • American University is 11.6% more expensive to attend than Drake for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $47,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.6% higher at AU than Drake University ($53,070.00 vs. $47,564.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Drake University than AU ($30,333 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 35.7% lower than costs at American University ($11,570 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Drake University than American University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 15.2% larger than aid received American University ($31,274 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. Drake Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Drake? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Drake or AU .

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 28 points higher than at Drake (1224)
  • Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Drake (27)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at Drake (3.7)
  • Drake has a higher acceptance rate (67.2%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Drake? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Drake and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than Drake University (77% vs. 75%)
  • Graduates from Drake University earn on average $3,700 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($68,500 vs. $64,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Drake graduates. ($24,250 vs. $26,000)
  • AU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Drake graduates. ($250 vs. $268)
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/