Loras College vs Drake University
Loras College and Drake University, both esteemed institutions in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences. Loras, a private Catholic college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on liberal arts and sciences. Drake, a private university, emphasizes experiential learning and professional preparation, with a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. While Loras has a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body, Drake offers more academic programs and a more diverse student population. Both institutions excel in graduate outcomes, with high placement rates and strong alumni networks. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Drake University |
![]() Loras College |
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Overview |
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Location | Des Moines, Iowa | Dubuque, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 78.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 69.1% | 72.0% |
Application fees | $70 | |
SAT range | 1190 - 1410 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 14.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 43.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 7,932 | 2,086 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,479 | 1,501 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 759 | 296 |
Yield rate | 13.9% | 19.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,125 | $45,563 |
Average net price | $29,507 | $20,068 |
Tuition | $45,734 | $33,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,160
Meal plan:
$5,128
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Room/dormitory:
$4,000
Meal plan:
$4,760
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $29,904 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,765 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
48.0%
Average amount $5,294 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $18,053 |
17.0%
Average amount $8,551 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,902
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
1,296
Men 57.3% Women 42.7% |
Graduate students |
1,973
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
90
Men 28.9% Women 71.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 68.0% | 69.3% |
International students | 2.9% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,758 | 783 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Minnesota Illinois Wisconsin Texas | Illinois Iowa Wisconsin Florida Missouri |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.2% | 68.0% |
Dropout rate | 20.2% | 31.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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