Drake vs. ISU

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

Drake University
Iowa State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $29,565 at Drake.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs ISU 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs ISU $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Drake University Iowa State University
Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
Drake63.9%
ISU88.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
Drake1110-1350
ISU1120-1360
Average net price
ISU $11,786 less
Drake$29,565
ISU$17,779
In-state tuition
ISU $41,343 less
Drake$52,130
ISU$10,787
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $23,249 less
Drake$52,130
ISU$28,881
Graduation rate
Drake +7 pts
Drake75%
ISU68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$14,800
Drake$68,500
ISU$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • ISU 23,095
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • ISU 20,475
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • ISU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • ISU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • ISU 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • ISU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • ISU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • ISU
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • ISU 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • ISU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • ISU $10,787
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • ISU $28,881
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • ISU $10,808
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • ISU $17,779
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • ISU $10,791
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • ISU 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • ISU 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • ISU $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • ISU $23,868
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • ISU $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • ISU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • ISU 30,380
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • ISU #343

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
  • Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 13.2% lower than at Drake University ($10,808 vs. $12,452).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.5% higher at Drake than at Iowa State University (about $23,249 more per year; $52,130 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 229% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($35,498 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Drake than at ISU (26 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Drake and ISU.
  • Enrolled freshman Drake students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at ISU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $2,132 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($23,868 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($246 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 74%).

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

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