Drake vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Drake University is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 35% lower than at Drake University ($8,100 vs. $12,452).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at Drake than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $18,340 more per year; $52,130 vs. $33,790).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 69.8% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($35,498 vs. $20,910).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Drake than at Dakota Wesleyan University (26 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Drake, test-free at Dakota Wesleyan University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.34 higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $533 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 71%).

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