When considering which university to attend, it’s essential to compare various factors, including costs, admissions, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. This comparison will examine two universities: Drake University and St. Ambrose University, providing an in-depth analysis of their differences and similarities to help prospective students make an informed decision.
Drake University Overview
Located in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake University is a private institution founded in 1881. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including business, journalism, law, pharmacy, and the liberal arts. Drake University is well known for its commitment to community engagement, experiential learning, and a student-centered approach.
Drake University Costs & Tuition
The average cost of tuition and fees at Drake University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $45,050. However, this figure does not include room and board, which costs an additional $10,270. The university offers financial aid packages to eligible students, with an average award of $25,300 per student.
Drake University Admissions
With an acceptance rate of 68%, Drake University has a competitive admissions process. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.71, while the average ACT and SAT scores are 25 and 1215, respectively.
Drake University Degrees Offered
Drake University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study. Some of the most popular majors at Drake University are Business, Marketing, Management, Journalism, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. The university also offers graduate programs in fields such as law, pharmacy, education, and public administration.
Drake University Academics
Drake University is committed to providing a rigorous academic experience for its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, the university emphasizes small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty members. Furthermore, Drake University boasts a four-year graduation guarantee, ensuring that students can complete their degrees on time.
Drake University Diversity
Drake University’s student body is diverse, with students from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its support for multicultural organizations, affinity groups, and cultural events throughout the academic year.
Drake University Students
With an undergraduate enrollment of over 2,800 students, Drake University fosters a close-knit and engaged community. Students can participate in over 160 student organizations, including academic and professional clubs, service organizations, Greek life, and intramural sports.
Drake University Campus
Drake University’s campus spans 150 acres in the heart of Des Moines, providing students with access to academic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The university offers a variety of housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and Greek houses.
Drake University Alumni
Drake University has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates such as former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, journalist David Shuster, and actress Cloris Leachman.
Drake University Rankings
Drake University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. In 2021, it was ranked #124 in National Universities and #37 in Best Value Schools.
Drake University Outcomes
Drake University has a strong record of student success, with a 94% placement rate for graduates within six months of graduation. Additionally, the university boasts a 64% four-year graduation rate and a 77% six-year graduation rate.
St. Ambrose University Overview
Founded in 1882, St. Ambrose University is a private, Roman Catholic institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, health, and the liberal arts. St. Ambrose University is known for its commitment to service, social justice, and community engagement.
St. Ambrose University Costs & Tuition
The cost of tuition and fees at St. Ambrose University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $32,350. Room and board expenses are an additional $9,920. To help make education more affordable, St. Ambrose University provides financial aid packages to eligible students, with an average award of $23,000 per student.
St. Ambrose University Admissions
St. Ambrose University has an acceptance rate of 63%, making it a competitive institution. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.4, while the average ACT and SAT scores are 22 and 1100, respectively.
St. Ambrose University Degrees Offered
St. Ambrose University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines. Popular majors include Business, Education, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. The university also offers graduate programs in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and business administration.
St. Ambrose University Academics
St. Ambrose University emphasizes a strong academic experience for its students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. The university is committed to small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty, and experiential learning opportunities.
St. Ambrose University Diversity
St. Ambrose University is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university supports various multicultural organizations, affinity groups, and cultural events throughout the year to promote understanding and appreciation of different backgrounds and perspectives.
St. Ambrose University Students
With an undergraduate enrollment of over 2,200 students, St. Ambrose University provides a close-knit and engaged community for its students. The university offers over 90 student organizations, ranging from academic and professional clubs to service organizations, Greek life, and intramural sports.
St. Ambrose University Campus
St. Ambrose University’s campus sits on 113 acres in Davenport, Iowa, offering students access to academic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The university provides various housing options, including residence halls, townhouses, and apartments.
St. Ambrose University Alumni
Notable alumni of St. Ambrose University include former U.S. Representative Lane Evans, actor Michael Boatman, and journalist Thom Hartmann.
St. Ambrose University Rankings
St. Ambrose University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. In 2021, it was ranked #23 in Regional Universities Midwest and #38 in Best Value Schools.
St. Ambrose University Outcomes
St. Ambrose University has a strong record of student success, with an 88% placement rate for graduates within six months of graduation. In addition, the university has a 57% four-year graduation rate and a 69% six-year graduation rate.
Drake University vs St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison
The cost of attendance at Drake University and St. Ambrose University differs significantly. Drake’s tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are $45,050, while St. Ambrose’s tuition and fees are $32,350. Room and board expenses are also slightly higher at Drake, with a total cost of $10,270 compared to $9,920 at St. Ambrose. However, both universities offer financial aid packages to eligible students to help offset the costs.
Drake University vs St. Ambrose University Admissions Difficulty
Drake University and St. Ambrose University both have competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 68% and 63%, respectively. However, Drake University tends to admit students with slightly higher high school GPAs and standardized test scores than St. Ambrose University. The average high school GPA of admitted students at Drake is 3.71, while at St. Ambrose, it is 3.4. Additionally, the average ACT and SAT scores at Drake are 25 and 1215, respectively, compared to 22 and 1100 at St. Ambrose.
Drake University vs St. Ambrose University Academic Difficulty
Both Drake University and St. Ambrose University emphasize rigorous academics and small class sizes, with student-to-faculty ratios of 9:1 and 11:1, respectively. The universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, with some overlap in popular majors such as business, health professions, and social sciences. However, Drake University boasts a four-year graduation guarantee, ensuring that students can complete their degrees on time.
Drake University vs St. Ambrose University Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both Drake University and St. Ambrose University enjoy high placement rates within six months of graduation, with 94% at Drake and 88% at St. Ambrose. Additionally, Drake University has higher four-year (64%) and six-year (77%) graduation rates than St. Ambrose, which has a 57% four-year and 69% six-year graduation rate. These outcomes suggest that Drake University may provide a slightly better return on investment for students.
