Drake vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Drake vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia than Drake ($22,169 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 9.1% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,452 vs. $13,700).
• Drake University is 251.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $37,293 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at Drake than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $16,074 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Missouri Columbia (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 168.9% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($35,498 vs. $13,203).

Drake vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri-Columbia and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 10 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Drake students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at University of Missouri-Columbia (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Drake vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia's (69%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $4,117 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($21,883 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($226 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.