Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Online | drake.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Drake University is situated in a residential area approximately three miles from downtown Des Moines, Iowa's capital city. The 150-acre campus features a mix of historic red-brick buildings and modern facilities, anchored by the iconic Old Main building constructed in 1883. Operating as a private institution since its founding in 1881, Drake maintains a selective admissions process and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across six colleges, with particularly strong offerings in business, journalism, pharmacy, and law. The university's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is among the oldest pharmacy programs in the United States, while the School of Journalism and Mass Communication has established itself as a leading media education center in the Midwest. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years, with housing options ranging from traditional residence halls to apartment-style living, and the Drake Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Drake is rated within the top 24% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Drake University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#135 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#110 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#2 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#141 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1190/1390 |
| ACT | 24/30 |
| GPA | 3.7 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $478 |
| Room and Board | $11,858 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,178 |
| Total One Year Cost | $67,080 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 39% |
| Communication | 12% |
| Social Sciences | 10% |
| Education | 8% |
| Biology | 6% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Drake University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153269 IPEDS survey data for Drake University.
Current students may use the Drake University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025