Drake vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (9,278 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 Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Drake vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than Drake ($16,437 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 19.8% lower than at Drake University ($9,986 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 424.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $42,194 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.1% higher at Drake than at University of Northern Iowa (about $30,418 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 505.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($35,498 vs. $5,865).

Drake vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 80 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Drake students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Drake vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $20,800 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($20,625 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($213 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 72%)

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.