Vassar vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vassar College 7:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Vassar vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar or Drexel? 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 Vassar College than Drexel ($29,981 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 0.8% lower than at Vassar College ($18,096 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $8,618 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Vassar than at Drexel University (about $8,618 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 63.9% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($57,443 vs. $35,051).

Vassar vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar or Drexel? 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 Drexel and Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 160 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 1450/1550; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Vassar vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar and Drexel? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $10,463 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($15,780 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($163 vs. $271).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

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.