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Drake University vs St Luke's College

St Luke's College is selective with a 44.4% acceptance rate, making it harder to get into than Drake University (64.1%). Graduates of Drake University earn $10,868 more per year at the 10-year mark ($71,901 vs $61,033). For families earning $48k–$75k, St Luke's College is more affordable at $15,602 net price vs $25,171. Students at St Luke's College graduate with less debt ($15,000 vs $23,000).

Admissions & Outcomes

St Luke's College has a higher yield rate (87.5%), meaning a larger share of admitted students choose to enroll — a strong signal of student preference.

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

St Luke's College

Sioux City, IA

Acceptance Rate
64.1%
44.4%
Applicants (2023)
7,741
18
Median SAT
1280
N/A
Yield Rate
12.9%
87.5%
6-Year Graduation Rate
75.7%
N/A
Median Earnings (10yr)
$71,901
$61,033
Median Earnings (6yr)
$58,233
$54,850
Median Debt
$23,000
$15,000
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$44,188
$19,440
Room & Board
$11,152
N/A

Net Price by Family Income

Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships — often far less than the sticker price. It varies dramatically by family income.

Family Income
Drake University
St Luke's College
$0 – $30k
$25,824
N/A
$30k – $48k
$23,275
N/A
$48k – $75k
$25,171
$15,602
$75k – $110k
N/A
N/A
$110k+
$33,126
$26,147

Net price data from College Scorecard. Run each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate based on your family's finances.

Financial Aid

Institutional grants come directly from the school's endowment and don't need to be repaid. A high institutional grant rate means the school is investing its own funds in affordability. St Luke's College enrolls more Pell Grant recipients (46%), indicating stronger support for students from lower-income backgrounds.

Metric
Drake University
St Luke's College
Students Receiving Grants
97%
93%
Average Grant Amount
$30,485
$3,355
Pell Grant Recipients
21%
46%
Institutional Grant Rate
100%
100%
Avg Institutional Grant
$28,667
$2,143

Highest-Earning Majors

Median earnings within two years of graduation. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on lifetime earnings than the school name on your diploma.

Drake University

  • 1 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
    $78,971
  • 2 Mathematics
    $65,238
  • 3 Management Information Systems and Services
    $64,990
  • 4 Computer and Information Sciences, General
    $62,409
  • 5 Accounting and Related Services
    $59,485

Most Popular Majors

The most popular majors by number of degrees awarded. This gives you a sense of each school's academic strengths and where students concentrate.

Drake University

  • 1 Marketing
  • 2 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
  • 3 Psychology, General
  • 4 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
  • 5 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

St Luke's College

  • 1 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • 2 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

Campus & Student Body

Enrollment size, diversity, and retention paint a picture of campus culture. A high retention rate means students are satisfied enough to return after freshman year.

Metric
Drake University
St Luke's College
Total Enrollment
4,504
196
Retention Rate
84%
N/A
Women
62%
93%
International Students
3%
N/A
Asian
5%
1%
Hispanic/Latino
7%
17%
Black
6%
7%
White
75%
66%

For International Students

Key cost and campus considerations for students coming from outside the US.

Drake University

  • International students3%
  • Tuition (international)$44,188
  • Est. total cost/year$55,518
  • School typePublic

St Luke's College

  • International studentsN/A
  • Tuition (international)$19,440
  • School typePublic

What international students should know

  • International students pay out-of-state tuition at public universities. Private universities charge the same tuition for all students.
  • Most federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) is not available to international students. Look for institutional aid and merit scholarships.
  • F-1 visa holders can work on-campus during the school year and use CPT/OPT for internships and post-graduation employment.
  • Schools with a higher international student percentage typically have stronger support services — dedicated international offices, visa advising, and cultural programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to get into Drake University or St Luke's College?

St Luke's College is more selective with a 44.4% acceptance rate, compared to 64.1%. Both are competitive schools that receive tens of thousands of applications each year.

Which school has higher earnings: Drake University or St Luke's College?

Drake University graduates earn more at the 10-year mark, with median earnings of $71,901 compared to $61,033. Earnings vary significantly by major — STEM fields typically produce the highest returns at both schools.

Which is cheaper: Drake University or St Luke's College?

For middle-income families ($48k–$75k), St Luke's College has a lower net price at $15,602 per year vs $25,171. Net price varies by family income — use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Which school has more international students: Drake University or St Luke's College?

Drake University has a larger international student population at 3% of enrollment. A higher international student percentage often means stronger support services for visa holders, including dedicated international student offices, OPT/CPT guidance, and cultural programming.

What are the highest-paying majors at Drake University and St Luke's College?

At Drake University, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduates earn a median of $78,971 within two years. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on earnings than which school you attend.

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