Drake vs. TCU

Deciding between Drake University and Texas Christian University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Drake University
Texas Christian University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • TCU Fort Worth, TX
  • Setting
  • Drake Midsize City
  • TCU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Drake 4,345
  • TCU 12,938
  • Type
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • TCU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Drake #160
  • TCU #110
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Drake -
  • TCU Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Status
  • Drake Non-profit
  • TCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Drake
  • TCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Drake $52,130
  • TCU $61,740
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Drake $52,130
  • TCU $61,740
  • Room & Board
  • Drake $12,452
  • TCU $16,700
  • Average Net Price
  • Drake $29,565
  • TCU $41,848
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Drake $35,498
  • TCU $34,975
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Drake 100%
  • TCU 80%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Drake 9,873
  • TCU 22,307
  • Admitted
  • Drake 6,304
  • TCU 9,925
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Drake 63.9%
  • TCU 44.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Drake 9.8%
  • TCU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Drake 1230
  • TCU 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Drake 26
  • TCU 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Drake 3.7
  • TCU 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Drake A-
  • TCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Drake Difficult
  • TCU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Drake Low
  • TCU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Drake 24/29
  • TCU 26/31
  • SAT Range
  • Drake 1110/1350
  • TCU 1140/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Drake Test optional
  • TCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Drake
  • TCU Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Drake 11:1
  • TCU 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • TCU
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Drake 75%
  • TCU 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Drake $68,500
  • TCU $57,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Drake 84%
  • TCU 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Drake $26,000
  • TCU $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Drake $268
  • TCU $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Drake 38%
  • TCU 39%
  • % Women
  • Drake 62%
  • TCU 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Drake Low
  • TCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Drake No
  • TCU No
  • % White
  • Drake 79%
  • TCU 73%
  • % Asian
  • Drake 3%
  • TCU 3%
  • % Black
  • Drake 4%
  • TCU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Drake 4%
  • TCU 11%
  • % Native American
  • Drake 0%
  • TCU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Drake 0%
  • TCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Drake 2%
  • TCU 0%
  • % International
  • Drake 7%
  • TCU 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Drake 0%
  • TCU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Drake 44%
  • TCU 44%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Drake 51%
  • TCU 51%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Drake Yes
  • TCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Drake No
  • TCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Drake Yes
  • TCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Drake No
  • TCU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Drake No
  • TCU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
  • Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Drake vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or TCU? 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 Drake University than TCU ($29,565 vs. $41,848).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 25.4% lower than at Texas Christian University ($12,452 vs. $16,700).
  • Texas Christian University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $9,610 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $52,130.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at TCU than at Drake University (about $9,610 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $52,130.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Texas Christian University (100% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 1.5% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($35,498 vs. $34,975).

Drake vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 20 points higher than at Drake (1230).
  • Incoming TCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Drake).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; Texas Christian University 26/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TCU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at TCU (3.68).
  • Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than TCU (44.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Drake vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and TCU? 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 Texas Christian University's (74%).
  • Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU 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.