Acceptance Rate
64%
Avg. SAT
1350
75th percentile
“Drake University fuses Midwest practicality with professional training in pharmacy, law, and journalism right in Iowa's capital.”
Des Moines, IA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
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.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
Drake shines in pharmacy through its renowned program, where students gain early clinical hours at nearby hospitals, and in law via Drake Law School, known for practical clinics. Business students tap into the Zimpleman College's ties to Des Moines' insurance industry, while journalism majors produce for real outlets like the student-run Times Delphic. Classrooms feel personal with smaller enrollments allowing discussion-based learning over massive lectures.
Research opportunities suit undergrads interested in applied work, such as actuarial science projects with local firms. You'll encounter a mix of teaching styles, from hands-on labs to seminars, but popular programs like pharmacy fill quickly and demand solid grades to advance.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
2,585 undergrad • 1,760 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
75%
Black / African American
6%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
8%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Des Moines, IA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life centers on a tight-knit community where a typical week mixes classes, intramurals, and evenings in the East Village's shops and eateries. Traditions like the Drake Relays—a massive track invitational drawing pros and Olympians—bring spring energy, while Greek life and over 150 clubs fill weekends. Residential halls guarantee spots for freshmen, fostering quick bonds in double rooms with suite-style options upperclassmen.
The social scene stays balanced: lively house parties and city bars without all-night ragers dominating. Des Moines integrates seamlessly—students intern downtown or hit the farmers' market—yet cold snaps limit outdoor hangs, and the urban edge means navigating traffic to off-campus spots.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Missouri Valley Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$23,262
$30K – $48K
$24,012
$48K – $75K
$24,833
$75K – $110K
$29,659
$110K+
$32,403
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
75%
6 Years Graduation Rate
81%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$71,901
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Drake University and return in the fall. 75% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 81% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
75%
4-6 years
6%
Non-grad
19%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$47,564
Acceptance
64%
Undergrads
2,585
4-Year Grad Rate
75%
Endowment
$256M
Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
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