Wheaton College vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Drake University 11:1.

Wheaton College vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College ($29,565 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 4.3% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,452 vs. $13,010).
• Drake University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $6,584 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Drake than at Wheaton College (about $6,584 more per year; $52,130.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($35,498 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Drake Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 140 points higher than at Drake (1230).
• Incoming Wheaton College 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: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Drake (3.7).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Wheaton College vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Drake University's (75%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drake students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.