Drake vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Drake vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($29,565 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 16.8% lower than at University of St Thomas ($12,452 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $2,268 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at University of St Thomas than at Drake University (about $2,268 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($35,587 vs. $35,498).

Drake vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 110 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Drake vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than University of St Thomas graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas and Drake graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of St Thomas and Drake graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

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.