Drake vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Drake vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than Drake ($14,235 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 11.8% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,452 vs. $14,124).
• Drake University is 349.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $40,527 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Drake than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $10,027 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 100.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($35,498 vs. $17,741).

Drake vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 220 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Drake vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and Wisconsin? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 84%)

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.