Drake vs. Champlain College

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than Champlain College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,259 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Champlain College is in Burlington, VT (Small City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Champlain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Champlain College 13:1.

Drake vs. Champlain College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Champlain 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 Drake University than Champlain College ($29,565 vs. $38,173).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 29.2% lower than at Champlain College ($12,452 vs. $17,600).
• Drake University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Champlain College (about $4,280 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $47,850.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Drake than at Champlain College (about $4,280 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $47,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Champlain College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Champlain College students ($35,498 vs. $27,069).

Drake vs. Champlain College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Champlain College (1300) is 70 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Champlain College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Champlain College 1220/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Champlain College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Champlain College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Champlain College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Champlain College (3.35).
• Champlain College has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 11.5% at Champlain College.

Drake vs. Champlain College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Champlain 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 Champlain College's (62%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than Champlain College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $643 lower median loan debt than Champlain College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,643).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Champlain College graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Champlain College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.