Drake vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Drake vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul than Drake ($29,117 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 7.4% lower than at Drake University ($11,534 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 37.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $14,210 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Drake than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $14,210 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 60.4% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($35,498 vs. $22,132).

Drake vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 160 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming Drake students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at University of Northwestern-St Paul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

Drake vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $3,930 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($22,070 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($228 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northwestern-St Paul 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.