Florida Southern vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drake University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Drake University 11:1.

Florida Southern vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Drake? 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 Florida Southern College than Drake ($29,384 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 13.3% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,452 vs. $14,360).
• Drake University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Southern (about $8,090 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Drake than at Florida Southern College (about $8,090 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Drake University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Florida Southern College students ($35,498 vs. $31,394).

Florida Southern vs. Drake Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 10 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Florida Southern 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: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Florida Southern vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Drake? 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 Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 65%)

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.