Canisius vs. Drexel

Deciding between Canisius University and Drexel University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Canisius University
Drexel University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Canisius Buffalo, NY
  • Drexel Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Canisius Large City
  • Drexel Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Canisius 2,451
  • Drexel 21,153
  • Type
  • Canisius Private 4 Year
  • Drexel Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Canisius #393
  • Drexel #118
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Canisius Roman Catholic
  • Drexel -
  • Status
  • Canisius Non-profit
  • Drexel Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Canisius
  • Drexel
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Room & Board
  • Canisius $13,560
  • Drexel $18,096
  • Average Net Price
  • Canisius $19,666
  • Drexel $42,801
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Canisius $24,972
  • Drexel $35,051
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Canisius 100%
  • Drexel 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Canisius 4,175
  • Drexel 37,314
  • Admitted
  • Canisius 3,021
  • Drexel 29,642
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Canisius 72.4%
  • Drexel 79.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Canisius 13.1%
  • Drexel 8.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Canisius 1190
  • Drexel 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Canisius 25
  • Drexel 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Canisius 3.7
  • Drexel 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Canisius A-
  • Drexel A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Canisius Challenging
  • Drexel Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Canisius Low
  • Drexel
  • ACT Range
  • Canisius 22/28
  • Drexel 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Canisius 1050/1320
  • Drexel 1240/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Canisius Test-free
  • Drexel Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Canisius
  • Drexel Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Canisius 11:1
  • Drexel 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Canisius
    • Business (25%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Drexel
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Canisius 67%
  • Drexel 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Canisius $49,900
  • Drexel $77,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Canisius 71%
  • Drexel 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Canisius $24,750
  • Drexel $26,243
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Canisius $255
  • Drexel $271
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Canisius 48%
  • Drexel 46%
  • % Women
  • Canisius 52%
  • Drexel 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Canisius Low
  • Drexel High
  • HBCU
  • Canisius No
  • Drexel No
  • % White
  • Canisius 73%
  • Drexel 54%
  • % Asian
  • Canisius 2%
  • Drexel 14%
  • % Black
  • Canisius 8%
  • Drexel 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Canisius 6%
  • Drexel 6%
  • % Native American
  • Canisius 0%
  • Drexel 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Canisius 0%
  • Drexel 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Canisius 1%
  • Drexel 3%
  • % International
  • Canisius 4%
  • Drexel 13%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Canisius 4%
  • Drexel 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Canisius 77%
  • Drexel 46%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Canisius 15%
  • Drexel 44%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Canisius Yes
  • Drexel Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Canisius No
  • Drexel No
  • Meal Plan
  • Canisius Yes
  • Drexel Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Canisius No
  • Drexel Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Canisius No
  • Drexel No

Comparable Facts

Compare Canisius University in Buffalo, NY with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Canisius University 11:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Canisius vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius or Drexel? 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 Canisius University than Drexel ($19,666 vs. $42,801).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 25.1% lower than at Drexel University ($13,560 vs. $18,096).
  • Drexel University is 80.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $27,912 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at Drexel than at Canisius University (about $27,912 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University as at Drexel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($35,051 vs. $24,972).

Canisius vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius or Drexel? 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 Drexel and Canisius.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 150 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
  • Incoming Drexel students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Canisius).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Drexel University 1240/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28; Drexel University 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; Drexel - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Canisius students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Drexel (3.67).
  • Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Canisius (72.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Canisius vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius and Drexel? 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).

  • Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Canisius University's (67%).
  • Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $27,500 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $1,493 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,243).
  • Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($255 vs. $271).
  • More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

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.