IIT vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Drake University 11:1.

IIT vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Drake ($24,796 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 28.3% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($12,452 vs. $17,356).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $256 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at IIT than at Drake University (about $256 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology as at Drake University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 25.5% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($44,547 vs. $35,498).

IIT vs. Drake Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Institute of Technology (1310) is 80 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming IIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than IIT (54.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 9.8% at Drake.

IIT vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Drake graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $68,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 81%)

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.