Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Drake University, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a private, coeducational institution renowned for its exceptional academic programs and dynamic campus life. Established in 1881, the university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs across six colleges, including the College of Business and Public Administration, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the School of Education, and the Law School. Drake is widely recognized for its strong commitment to experiential learning, fostering a vibrant intellectual community, and preparing students for successful careers in their chosen fields.
With a total student population of roughly 4,800, Drake maintains a small, tight-knit community where students receive personalized attention from faculty and staff. The university nurtures a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging students to engage in research, creative projects, internships, and service-learning activities that promote critical thinking and hands-on experience. Drake's dedication to academic excellence is reflected in its rigorous coursework, which is often supplemented by various extracurricular opportunities such as student organizations, cultural events, and Division I athletics that add depth and diversity to campus life.
In addition to its strong academic offerings, Drake University also boasts a vibrant campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, cutting-edge research laboratories, and contemporary living accommodations. Located in Iowa's vibrant capital city, Drake students benefit from the university's close proximity to a thriving business community, governmental institutions, and cultural attractions. Whether it be through internships, networking opportunities, or community engagement, Drake students have the advantage of being part of a prestigious institution that emphasizes the development of their intellectual and professional growth, preparing them for successful and fulfilling lives beyond graduation.
Located in Des Moines, IA and set in an urban environment, Drake University is a private university. It has a campus size of 120 acres. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 67%. The freshman retention rate at Drake University is 83%.
The transfer application deadline is June 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Drake University.
Quick Facts
2,835
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
67%
Acceptance Rate
$47,564
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Drake University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,786 in 2023. Drake University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
17% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 36% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 18% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54% between 1,200 and 1,399, 27% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1% between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 33, 49 between 24-29, 17 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.71. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Drake University.
If you are thinking about applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is June 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Drake University was 83%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the institution had an enrollment of 4,685 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 63% for that year. There was a total of 2,835 undergrad students, including 108 international students. 82 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,381 male and 2,203 female full-time students in 2023. 289 full-time graduate men and 551 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 140 Asian students and 174 Afro-American students in 2023. 205 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 142 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Drake University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition in 2023 was $47,564 for full-time domestic students. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2023 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $178.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,100 for books and supplies during their time at Drake University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2023, the price of room and board at Drake University was $11,570 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $6,314, according to the data from 2023. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $4,770.
| Tuition | $ 47,564 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,570 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,100 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,234 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Drake University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 504 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $34,919.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,608 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Drake University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,642. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $3,977,331, and state $3,178,579. The students of Drake University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $37,215,596, and external in the amount of $561,937.
$25,243
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 397 students overall (including freshmen) at Drake University in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 137 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $3,977,331 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $484,172. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $30,120,525. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $621,196 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Drake University was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 453 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 206 male and 247 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Drake University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Drake University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Drake University.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 120 open-membership organizations at Drake University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that is most favored by students is Residence Hall Association, followed by Alpha Phi Omega and Dog Pound Pep Squad. Other popular student organizations at this school are Drake Magazine and Student Activities Board.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Drake University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Drake University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Drake University has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Drake University.
All in all, campus life at Drake University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Drake University.
Career Counselling
At Drake University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA.
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Drake University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 47,564 USD per academic year for Drake University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Drake University is 67%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Drake University is 83%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.