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Drake University

Drake University

Des Moines, IA · City · 2,543 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$29,127
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
76%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$71,901
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
64%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Located in Iowa’s capital city, Drake University is a mid-sized private institution renowned for its top-tier professional programs in actuarial science, pharmacy, journalism, and business. Its prime urban setting offers undergraduates exceptional experiential learning, connecting a strong liberal arts foundation with direct internship pipelines to Fortune 500 insurance headquarters, state government agencies, and national political campaigns. Campus life is collaborative and spirited, anchored by Division I athletics and cherished traditions like the internationally recognized Drake Relays track and field festival.

Wikipedia:Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, law, and pharmacy. Drake University Law School was founded in 1865, which makes it one of the 25 oldest law schools in the United States.

Location
Des Moines, IA, 50311-4505 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
OMA · Omaha
118 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$52,130
Housing & food (on campus)$12,452
Books & supplies$510
Cost of attendance$64,835
Average net price$29,127
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$52,130
Housing & food (on campus)$12,452
Books & supplies$510
Cost of attendance$64,835
Average net price$29,127
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$25,824
$30–48k
$23,275
$48–75k
$25,171
$75–110k
$27,408
$110k+
$33,126
Grants from the school
100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $31,785
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
76%
Within 4 yrs
66%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 60.6% · others: 76.3% 
8 yrs after starting
78% graduated · 18% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$58,233
10 yrs after entry$71,901
Debt
Median at graduation$23,000
Monthly payment$244
Middle 50% owe$11k–$30.5k
90th percentile$38,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
64%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1292
R 580–680 · M 530–670
ACT midpoint
28
Comp 24–29 · E 22–30 · M 22–28
SAT middle 50%: 1110–1350
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 57.4% · women 69.3% 
Yield: 9.8% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Drake University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
22%
First-gen
15%
Family income
$89,603
Independent
8%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
2%
Where first-years come from
In state (IA)
44.2%
Out of state
51.5%
International
4.2%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 82 · MN 67 · MO 28 · NE 23 · WI 23

Race & ethnicity
White
68%
Hispanic
9%
Black
8%
Asian
5%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$58,233
After 10 yrs
$71,901
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication63
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods51
Marketing49
Data Analytics48
Psychology, General41
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General41
Non-Professional Legal Studies38
Journalism37
Computer and Information Sciences, General34
Finance and Financial Management Services34
Accounting and Related Services31
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology25
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods23
Natural Resources Conservation and Research19
Political Science and Government19
Sociology19
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$306M
Full-time faculty
72%
Faculty salary
$10,431/mo
Teaching spend
$13,803
per student
Federal loans
44%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Drake University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search