DU vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 4,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Drake University 11:1.

DU vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 Drake University than DU ($29,565 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 29.9% lower than at University of Denver ($12,452 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $9,268 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at DU than at Drake University (about $9,268 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Denver (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($35,498 vs. $33,955).

DU vs. Drake Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 100 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming DU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Drake (3.7).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 9.8% at Drake.

DU vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU 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).

• University of Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $2,301 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 72%)

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.