Drake vs. MSOE

Drake University and Milwaukee School of Engineering side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Drake University
Milwaukee School of Engineering

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSOE (58.9% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1280 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSOE. Average net price is $25,669 vs $29,565 at Drake.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs MSOE 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs MSOE $68,900 (median).
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Key differences

Drake University Milwaukee School of Engineering
Acceptance rate
MSOE more selective
Drake63.9%
MSOE58.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSOE higher
Drake1110-1350
MSOE1160-1405
Average net price
MSOE $3,896 less
Drake$29,565
MSOE$25,669
In-state tuition
MSOE $1,650 less
Drake$52,130
MSOE$50,480
Out-of-state tuition
MSOE $1,650 less
Drake$52,130
MSOE$50,480
Graduation rate
Drake +18 pts
Drake75%
MSOE57%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSOE +$400
Drake$68,500
MSOE$68,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • MSOE 6,287
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • MSOE 3,705
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • MSOE 58.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • MSOE 17.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • MSOE 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • MSOE 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • MSOE 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • MSOE A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • MSOE Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • MSOE Low
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • MSOE 1160-1405
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • MSOE 24-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • MSOE Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • MSOE Sep 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • MSOE $50,480
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • MSOE $13,984
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • MSOE $25,669
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • MSOE $36,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • MSOE 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • MSOE 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • MSOE $68,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • MSOE 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • MSOE $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • MSOE $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • MSOE 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • MSOE
    • Engineering (66%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Communication (1%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • MSOE Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • MSOE Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • MSOE 2,953
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • MSOE Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • MSOE #230

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Drake University is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 2,953 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 11% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($12,452 vs. $13,984).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Drake than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $1,650 more per year; $52,130 vs. $50,480).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($36,997 vs. $35,498).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at MSOE than at Drake (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Drake, test-free at MSOE.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at MSOE (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 83%).

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

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