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Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA·Private nonprofit·13,509 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $78,000 within 10 years; strong 77% graduation rate.

78%
Accept
13,509
Students
$38,428
Net Price
77%
Grad Rate
$78,000
Earnings
10 yr
$20,204
Debt

About This School

Drexel University is a private nonprofit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with approximately 13,509 undergraduate students enrolled. Drexel University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 78%. The average net price after financial aid is $38,428 per year. The graduation rate is 77%, and the typical graduate earns $78,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Drexel's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. Founded as Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, it was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, before assuming its current name in 1970. As of 2020, more than 24,000 students were enrolled in over 70 undergraduate programs and more than 100 master's, doctoral, and professional programs at the university. Drexel's cooperative education program (co-op) is a unique aspect of the school's degree programs, offering students the opportunity to gain up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in a field relevant to their undergraduate major or graduate degree program prior to graduation.

Worth considering if you're drawn to hands-on, career-focused education — Drexel's co-op program gives students real work experience before graduation, and a median salary of $78,000 ten years out suggests it pays off professionally. The 77% graduation rate is a mild concern given the 90% freshman retention, meaning some students start strong but don't finish, so ask hard questions about what drives that gap. At $38,428 per year net cost, it's not cheap, but the relatively modest median debt of $20,204 at graduation suggests many students find workable ways to manage the cost.

Founded
1891
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Health Professions19%
Engineering18%
Business & Marketing16%
Computer Science10%
Visual & Performing Arts9%
Biological Sciences4%
Social Sciences3%
Psychology2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieAlassane OuattaraAnandi Gopal JoshiKatherine McNamaraPaul BaranAdriana ChechikChristopher FergusonMichael BeheSusan SeidelmanLex FridmanJames P. BagianVictoria Zdrok

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1337
Reading 75th %ile700
Math 75th %ile730

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite29

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$60,663
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,663
Avg Net Price
$38,428
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants25%
Median debt at graduation$20,204

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
77%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
90%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$78,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$20,204
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$20,204
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$54,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$78,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.9x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White43%
Black9%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian24%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,509 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Drexel University

3141 Chestnut St

Philadelphia, PA 19104

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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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