Drake vs. Grinnell

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

Drake University
Grinnell College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Grinnell (14.5% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drake. Average net price is $29,565 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs Grinnell 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs Grinnell $59,500 (median).
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Key differences

Drake University Grinnell College
Acceptance rate
Grinnell more selective
Drake63.9%
Grinnell14.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Grinnell higher
Drake1110-1350
Grinnell1410-1540
Average net price
Drake $4,798 less
Drake$29,565
Grinnell$34,363
In-state tuition
Drake $15,976 less
Drake$52,130
Grinnell$68,106
Out-of-state tuition
Drake $15,976 less
Drake$52,130
Grinnell$68,106
Graduation rate
Grinnell +13 pts
Drake75%
Grinnell88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$9,000
Drake$68,500
Grinnell$59,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • Grinnell 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • Grinnell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • Grinnell Very High
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • Grinnell $136
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • Grinnell #57

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
  • Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 26.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,452 vs. $16,842).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Grinnell than at Drake University (about $15,976 more per year; $68,106 vs. $52,130).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($49,077 vs. $35,498).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Grinnell than at Drake (32 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Drake and Grinnell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Grinnell average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Drake (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $12,830 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($13,170 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($136 vs. $268).
  • More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation (87% 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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