Drake University

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Des Moines, IA
5.0 2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,345

Location Des Moines, Iowa
Website drake.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#160

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

Drake is rated within the top 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

8 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

9 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Drake University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1110/1350
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/29
GPA 3.7

Acceptance Rate

63.9%

Applications Due -
Enrollment Rate 9.8%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$52,130

Costs for Drake University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$52,130
Books and Supplies		$510
Other Fees		$686
Room and Board		$12,452
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,150
Total One Year Cost		$68,928

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$68,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

75% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Drake University are Business, Communication, and Social Sciences. 39% of students major in Business, 12% in Communication, and 10% in Social Sciences.