Drake vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Drake vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Drake ($26,756 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 8.6% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,452 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $7,630 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at St Olaf than at Drake University (about $7,630 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 27% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($45,098 vs. $35,498).

Drake vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 160 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Drake vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.