Drexel University
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 78% graduation rate.
About This School
Drexel University is a private nonprofit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with approximately 13,233 undergraduate students enrolled. Drexel University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $38,509 per year. The graduation rate is 78%, 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.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
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: 7% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,233 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Drexel University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
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University Park, PA · Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
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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