Drake University vs Upper Iowa University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Drake University Des Moines, IA | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +114% | +27% |
| 10-year net gain | $141,941 | $24,692 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $71,683 | $56,757 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $54,800 | $51,115 |
| Average net price | $29,127 | $20,942 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $25,000 |
| Break-even | 4.7 yrs | 7.9 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 74% | 34% |
| Admission rate | 64% | 97% |
Drake University
Strong return
+$141,941 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Upper Iowa University
Break-even
+$24,692 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.