Drake vs. St Olaf

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

Drake University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $29,565 at Drake.
  • Graduation: Drake 75% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Drake $68,500 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Drake University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Drake63.9%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
Drake1110-1350
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $2,809 less
Drake$29,565
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Drake $7,630 less
Drake$52,130
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Drake $7,630 less
Drake$52,130
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +10 pts
Drake75%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$14,800
Drake$68,500
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Drake 9.8%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Drake A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Drake Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Drake 24-29
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Drake
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Drake $52,130
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Drake $12,452
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Drake $29,565
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Drake 100%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Drake 75%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Drake 84%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Drake $268
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Drake #160
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 8.6% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,452 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at St Olaf than at Drake University (about $7,630 more per year; $59,760 vs. $52,130).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 27% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($45,098 vs. $35,498).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at St Olaf than at Drake (30 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Drake and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation (91% 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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