Drake University

Drake traces its roots to 1881, when Des Moines residents established it to bring college education to the growing city without sending students east. Today, it enrolls around 3,000 undergraduates on a compact urban campus amid Des Moines' skyline. Students who thrive here appreciate a straightforward, pre-professional vibe—collaborative types drawn to business, health sciences, or media rather than abstract theory or cutthroat competition.

The university's personality reflects its location: pragmatic and connected, with classes often linking to local insurance firms, hospitals, and newsrooms. Des Moines offers a lively downtown with parks, breweries, and events, plus a lower cost of living than coastal cities. Tradeoffs include harsh Iowa winters that keep you indoors from November to March, and while the city pulses professionally, it lacks the entertainment density of bigger metros.