Drake vs. Simmons University

Should I go to Drake University or Simmons University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Drake or Simmons University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Drake University vs. Simmons University comparison
Drake University Simmons University College 3 College 4
Drake University Simmons University
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Overview

Drake Simmons University
Location Des Moines, IA Boston, MA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 4,504 5,053
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #135 #122
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website drake.edu simmons.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Drake Simmons University
Tuition (In State) $49,466 $44,208
Tuition (Out of State) $49,466 $44,208
Room & Board $11,858 $17,104
Avg Net Price $30,886 $29,575
Avg Grant Aid $31,783 $33,874
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Drake Simmons University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,741 4,871
Admitted 4,964 3,215
Acceptance Rate 64.1% 66%
Enrolled % 12.9% 11.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.87
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 24/30 26/31
SAT Range 1190/1390 1230/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Drake Simmons University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Drake Simmons University
Graduation Rate 75% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,500 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

Drake Simmons University
% Men 14% 8%
% Women 26% 57%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 67%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Drake Simmons University
% In-State 41% 57%
% Out-of-State 56% 37%

Campus

Drake Simmons University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Drake based on total student enrollment (5,053 students vs. 4,504 students)

Drake vs. Simmons University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Simmons University?

  • Drake University is 11.9% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($49,466.00 vs. $44,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.9% higher at Drake than Simmons University ($49,466.00 vs. $44,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simmons University than Drake ($29,575 vs. $30,886)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 44.2% lower than costs at Simmons University ($11,858 vs. $17,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Drake University than Simmons University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 6.6% larger than aid received Drake University ($33,874 vs. $31,783)

Drake vs. Simmons University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or Simmons University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Simmons University or Drake .

  • The average SAT score at Drake University (1224) is 61 points higher than at Simmons University (1163)
  • Incoming Drake students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at Simmons University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Drake (3.7)
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (66%) than Drake (64.1%)

Drake vs. Simmons University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Drake or Simmons University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Simmons University and Drake.

  • The graduation rate at Drake is higher than Simmons University (75% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Drake University earn on average $15,700 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($68,500 vs. $52,800)
  • Simmons University and Drake graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Simmons University and Drake graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/