Illinois vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Drake University 11:1.

Illinois vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than Drake ($13,973 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 14.3% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($12,452 vs. $14,522).
• Drake University is 225.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $36,126 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Drake than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $17,006 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 83.9% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($35,498 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Drake Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois or Drake? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Drake and Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 190 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Drake).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Illinois students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Drake has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Illinois vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Drake? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $66,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois 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.