Drake vs. Bethel University

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

Drake University
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drake. Average net price is $29,565 vs $31,738 at Bethel University.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs Bethel University 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs Bethel University $50,100 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
Drake63.9%
Bethel University87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Drake higher
Drake1110-1350
Bethel University1190-1300
Average net price
Drake $2,173 less
Drake$29,565
Bethel University$31,738
In-state tuition
Bethel University $7,904 less
Drake$52,130
Bethel University$44,226
Out-of-state tuition
Bethel University $7,904 less
Drake$52,130
Bethel University$44,226
Graduation rate
Drake +2 pts
Drake75%
Bethel University73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$18,400
Drake$68,500
Bethel University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • Bethel University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • Bethel University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • Bethel University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • Bethel University
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • Bethel University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • Bethel University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • Bethel University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • Bethel University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • Bethel University #387

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Drake University is larger than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,603 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Bethel University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Bethel University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 2.3% lower than at Drake University ($12,170 vs. $12,452).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Drake than at Bethel University (about $7,904 more per year; $52,130 vs. $44,226).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Bethel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 32% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($35,498 vs. $26,886).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Drake than at Bethel University (26 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Drake and Bethel University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Bethel University (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 26.9% at Bethel University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $1,600 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($24,400 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($252 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 80%).

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

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