Drake vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (10,619 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 South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Drake vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or USD? 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 South Dakota than Drake ($19,133 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 16.8% lower than at Drake University ($10,356 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 452.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $42,698 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 302.8% higher at Drake than at University of South Dakota (about $39,188 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 531.3% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($35,498 vs. $5,623).

Drake vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 10 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Drake students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 24.1% at USD.

Drake vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and USD? 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.