Drake vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Drake vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Ripon 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 Ripon College than Drake ($23,772 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 13.3% lower than at Drake University ($10,800 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ripon College (about $230 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Drake than at Ripon College (about $230 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($39,716 vs. $35,498).

Drake vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 100 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Drake students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Drake vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Ripon 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 Ripon College's (70%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

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.