Drake vs. Benedictine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Benedictine College in Atchison, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Benedictine College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 2,535 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Benedictine College is in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Benedictine College 16:1.

Drake vs. Benedictine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Benedictine College? 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 Benedictine College than Drake ($28,629 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 7.3% lower than at Benedictine College ($12,452 vs. $13,430).
• Drake University is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedictine College (about $15,780 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Drake than at Benedictine College (about $15,780 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Benedictine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 50.9% larger than aid received by Benedictine College students ($35,498 vs. $23,527).

Drake vs. Benedictine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Benedictine College (1260) is 30 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Drake students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Benedictine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Benedictine College 1140/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Benedictine College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Benedictine College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Benedictine College (3.57).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 22.9% at Benedictine College.

Drake vs. Benedictine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Benedictine College? 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 Benedictine College's (56%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $25,900 more per year than Benedictine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Benedictine College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedictine College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine College 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.