Drake vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (7,159 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

Drake vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Saint Joseph's University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Drake University than Saint Joseph's University ($29,565 vs. $31,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 23.3% lower than at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia ($12,452 vs. $16,240).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $1,130 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Saint Joseph's University than at Drake University (about $1,130 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($36,964 vs. $35,498).

Drake vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or Saint Joseph's University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Saint Joseph's University and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (1260) is 30 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Saint Joseph's University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

Drake vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Saint Joseph's University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Saint Joseph's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia graduates have a $2,992 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($23,008 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Joseph's University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Joseph's University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.