Washburn U vs Drake University
Washburn University and Drake University, both located in the vibrant state of Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Washburn University, rooted in Topeka, boasts an acceptance rate of 88%, welcoming a diverse student body of over 7,000 undergraduates. Drake University, nestled in Des Moines, maintains a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 75%, fostering a close-knit community of approximately 3,000 undergraduates. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Washburn University is renowned for its strong programs in nursing, business, and education, while Drake University shines in fields such as law, pharmacy, and journalism. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Drake University |
![]() Washburn University |
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Overview |
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Location | Des Moines, Iowa | Topeka, Kansas |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 66.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 69.1% | Open Admission |
Application fees | $70 |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$40
|
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 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,479 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 759 | |
Yield rate | 13.9% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,125 |
In state:
$23,895
Out of state:
$34,899
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Average net price | $29,507 | $14,617 |
Tuition | $45,734 |
In state:
$8,762
Out of state:
$19,766
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,160
Meal plan:
$5,128
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Room/dormitory:
$5,625
Meal plan:
$4,090
|
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 |
94.0%
Average amount $6,254 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
48.0%
Average amount $5,294 |
44.0%
Average amount $5,166 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $18,053 |
5.0%
Average amount $10,179 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,902
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
4,828
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
Graduate students |
1,973
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
829
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 68.0% | 3.0% |
International students | 2.9% | 3.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,758 | 1,004 |
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 | Kansas Georgia Iowa Florida Arizona |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.2% | 51.4% |
Dropout rate | 20.2% | 24.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 20.7% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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