Drake vs. Elon

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

Drake University
Elon University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 66.3%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1210.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drake. Average net price is $29,565 vs $44,440 at Elon.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs Elon 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs Elon $56,200 (median).
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Key differences

Drake University Elon University
Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
Drake63.9%
Elon66.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Drake higher
Drake1110-1350
Elon1130-1280
Average net price
Drake $14,875 less
Drake$29,565
Elon$44,440
In-state tuition
Elon $5,172 less
Drake$52,130
Elon$46,958
Out-of-state tuition
Elon $5,172 less
Drake$52,130
Elon$46,958
Graduation rate
Elon +7 pts
Drake75%
Elon82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$12,300
Drake$68,500
Elon$56,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • Elon 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • Elon Low
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • Elon 1130-1280
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • Elon 23-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • Elon $17,867
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • Elon 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • Elon $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • Elon #140

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 16.9% lower than at Elon University ($12,452 vs. $14,985).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Drake than at Elon University (about $5,172 more per year; $52,130 vs. $46,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 98.7% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($35,498 vs. $17,867).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Drake than at Elon (26 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Drake and Elon.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Elon (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($240 vs. $268).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation (86% 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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