Drake vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Drake vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Drake ($21,765 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 3.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,452 vs. $12,920).
• Drake University is 362% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $40,847 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at Drake than at University of Iowa (about $18,759 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 259.8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($35,498 vs. $9,865).

Drake vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or Iowa? 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 Iowa and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is the same as at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Drake students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Drake vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Iowa? 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).

• Drake University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,384 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($223 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.