Skip to content

Drake University vs Luther College

Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, IA. Luther College is a private college in Decorah, IA. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants and Luther College about 72%, making Drake University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,097 a year at Luther College after aid, and about $29,127 at Drake University. About 76% of students graduate at Drake University, compared with 73% at Luther College. Ten years after enrolling, Drake University alumni earn a median of about $71,901, against $59,850 for Luther College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Drake University

Des Moines, IA · Private

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Des Moines, IA
Decorah, IA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,543
1,379
Acceptance rate
64%
72%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.47–3.97
SAT (middle 50%)
1110–1350
1078–1406
ACT (middle 50%)
24–29
22–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$29,127
$23,097
Full cost / yr
$64,835
$65,461
In-state tuition
$52,130
$52,120
Out-of-state tuition
$52,130
$52,120
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$25,824
$12,517
$30k - $48k
$23,275
$12,835
$48k - $75k
$25,171
$19,351
$75k - $110k
$27,408
$22,204
Over $110k
$33,126
$29,376
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
73%
Freshman retention
84%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$58,233
$49,541
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,901
$59,850
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
22%
20%
First-generation students
15%
13%
International students
4%
15%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Jan 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Drake University or Luther College harder to get into?
Drake University is harder to get into. It admits about 64% of applicants, compared with 72% at Luther College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Drake University or Luther College?
Luther College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,097 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,127 at Drake University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Drake University and Luther College?
Before aid, Drake University costs about $64,835 a year and Luther College about $65,461. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Drake University or Luther College?
Luther College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,517 there, against about $25,824 at Drake University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Drake University or Luther College?
Drake University is the larger of the two, with about 2,543 undergraduates against 1,379 at Luther College.
Does Drake University or Luther College have a better graduation rate?
Drake University has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 73% at Luther College.
Do graduates of Drake University or Luther College earn more?
Drake University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $71,901 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,850 for Luther College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Drake University and Luther College require SAT or ACT scores?
Drake University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Luther College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Drake University and Luther College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1110–1350 at Drake University and 1078–1406 at Luther College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school