Drake vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Drake University in Des Moines, IA with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); William Jewell College is in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drake University 11:1; William Jewell College 10:1.

Drake vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College than Drake ($19,294 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 9.1% lower than at Drake University ($11,320 vs. $12,452).
• Drake University is 152.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Jewell College (about $31,520 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.9% higher at Drake than at William Jewell College (about $31,520 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drake University as at William Jewell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 114.5% larger than aid received by William Jewell College students ($35,498 vs. $16,552).

Drake vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College and Drake.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 50 points higher than at William Jewell College (1180).
• Incoming Drake students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 1110/1350; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drake University 24/29; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake - Test optional; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at William Jewell College (3.61).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at Drake vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

Drake vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake and William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College's (63%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than William Jewell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $48,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, William Jewell College 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 William Jewell College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.