Loras College vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, IA with Dean College in Franklin, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loras College is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,189 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loras College 12:1; Dean College 15:1.

Loras College vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras College or Dean 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 Loras College than Dean College ($21,631 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 44.6% lower than at Dean College ($11,000 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loras College (about $6,702 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Dean College than at Loras College (about $6,702 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Loras College as at Dean College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Loras College students ($32,958 vs. $28,835).

Loras College vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras College or Dean 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 Dean College and Loras College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Loras College vs. 8.7% at Dean College.

Loras College vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras College and Dean 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Loras College's (59%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,647 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($16,353 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($169 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 53%)

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.