Drake vs. Missouri Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Missouri Southern State University is in Joplin, MO (Small City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Missouri Southern State University 15:1.

Drake vs. Missouri Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University than Drake ($11,626 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 26.8% lower than at Drake University ($9,119 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 481.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $43,170 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.2% higher at Drake than at Missouri Southern State University (about $35,050 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Missouri Southern State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 367.3% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($35,498 vs. $7,597).

Drake vs. Missouri Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 60 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Drake students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Missouri Southern State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Missouri Southern - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 20.5% at Missouri Southern.

Drake vs. Missouri Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $31,900 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $5,169 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($20,831 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($215 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 53%)

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.