Drake University vs University of Iowa

This page compares Drake University and University of Iowa across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Iowa is ranked #36 compared to #84 — a gap of 48 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Iowa has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 156, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to University of Iowa face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in Iowa — Drake University in Des Moines and University of Iowa in Iowa City — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, University of Iowa has lower tuition at $30,944 per year compared to $50,920. Combined with employment rates of 91.0% (Drake University) and 93.8% (UofI), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Drake University offered a median scholarship of $134,500 compared to $100,000, a difference of $34,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.