Drake University
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $68,700 within 10 years; financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Drake University is a private nonprofit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa with approximately 2,543 undergraduate students enrolled. Drake University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 64%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,127 per year. The graduation rate is 74%, and the typical graduate earns $68,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, law, and pharmacy. Drake University Law School was founded in 1865, which makes it one of the 25 oldest law schools in the United States.
Worth considering if you want a small, career-focused private university with real professional programs in law, pharmacy, and business — graduates earn a solid median of $68,700 a year out, and the relatively low median debt of $19,500 makes the return on investment look reasonable. The 77% graduation rate is decent but not exceptional, meaning roughly 1 in 4 students don't finish, so it's worth asking what support systems exist if a student hits a rough patch. At $30,042 average net price, it's not cheap, but the combination of outcomes and manageable debt puts it ahead of many similarly priced private schools.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 3% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,543 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Iowa
Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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