Butler vs. Drake

Butler University and Drake University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Butler University
Drake University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drake. Average net price is $29,565 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Drake 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Drake $68,500 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Drake University
Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
Butler85.1%
Drake63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Butler higher
Butler1160-1350
Drake1110-1350
Average net price
Drake $8,873 less
Butler$38,438
Drake$29,565
In-state tuition
Butler $4,570 less
Butler$47,560
Drake$52,130
Out-of-state tuition
Butler $4,570 less
Butler$47,560
Drake$52,130
Graduation rate
Drake +3 pts
Butler72%
Drake75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$100
Butler$68,400
Drake$68,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Drake 9,873
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Drake 6,304
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Drake 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Drake 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Drake 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Drake A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Drake Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Drake Low
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Drake 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Drake Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Drake
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Drake $52,130
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Drake $52,130
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Drake $12,452
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Drake $29,565
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Drake $35,498
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Drake 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Drake 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Drake $68,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Drake 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Drake $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Drake $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Drake 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Drake 4,345
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Drake #160

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Butler University is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Drake University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 24.2% lower than at Butler University ($12,452 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Drake than at Butler University (about $4,570 more per year; $52,130 vs. $47,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($35,498 vs. $27,790).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Butler than at Drake (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Drake.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Drake (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 84%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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