UIC vs. Drake

University of Illinois Chicago and Drake University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Illinois Chicago
Drake University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: UIC. Average net price is $10,852 vs $29,565 at Drake.
  • Graduation: UIC 54% vs Drake 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UIC $61,900 vs Drake $68,500 (median).
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Key differences

University of Illinois Chicago Drake University
Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
UIC77.4%
Drake63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UIC higher
UIC1130-1350
Drake1110-1350
Average net price
UIC $18,713 less
UIC$10,852
Drake$29,565
In-state tuition
UIC $37,792 less
UIC$14,338
Drake$52,130
Out-of-state tuition
UIC $22,246 less
UIC$29,884
Drake$52,130
Graduation rate
Drake +21 pts
UIC54%
Drake75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$6,600
UIC$61,900
Drake$68,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UIC 27,085
  • Drake 9,873
  • Admitted
  • UIC 20,951
  • Drake 6,304
  • Acceptance rate
  • UIC 77.4%
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UIC 21.1%
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UIC 1240
  • Drake 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • UIC 28
  • Drake 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • UIC 3.41
  • Drake 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • UIC B+
  • Drake A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UIC Difficult
  • Drake Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • UIC
  • Drake Low
  • SAT range
  • UIC 1130-1350
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • ACT range
  • UIC 25-31
  • Drake 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • UIC Test optional
  • Drake Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UIC Feb 1, 2027
  • Drake
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UIC $14,338
  • Drake $52,130
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UIC $29,884
  • Drake $52,130
  • Room & board
  • UIC $16,500
  • Drake $12,452
  • Average net price
  • UIC $10,852
  • Drake $29,565
  • Average grant aid
  • UIC $16,755
  • Drake $35,498
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UIC 74%
  • Drake 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • UIC 54%
  • Drake 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UIC $61,900
  • Drake $68,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • UIC 68%
  • Drake 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UIC $18,750
  • Drake $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UIC $193
  • Drake $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UIC 17:1
  • Drake 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • UIC
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • UIC Chicago, IL
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Setting
  • UIC Large City
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • UIC 33,906
  • Drake 4,345
  • Type
  • UIC Public 4 Year
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UIC #215
  • Drake #160

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Drake University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 24.5% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($12,452 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 74.4% higher at Drake than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $22,246 more per year; $52,130 vs. $29,884).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 111.9% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($35,498 vs. $16,755).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at UIC than at Drake (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UIC and Drake.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at UIC (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($193 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 68%).

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

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