Drake vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Drake vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Drake ($20,438 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 21.8% lower than at Drake University ($9,742 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 440% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $42,476 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 308.7% higher at Drake than at Dakota State University (about $39,374 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 560.9% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($35,498 vs. $5,371).

Drake vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 90 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Drake students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Drake vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 67%)

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.