Drake University (Drake)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Des Moines, IA that costs an average of $29,415 a year after financial aid, admits 64% of applicants and graduates 71% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$29,415
Acceptance rate
64%
Graduation rate
71%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$78,855
Private nonprofitMidsize city2,543 undergraduates
Cost of Drake
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $65,475 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $52,130 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $12,876 |
| Books and supplies | $510 |
| Average net price after aid | $29,415 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $28,458 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $25,119 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $25,416 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $28,365 |
| $110,001+ | $32,318 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Drake's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 64% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,292 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 580–680 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 530–670 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 24–29 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 71% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 84% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $59,016 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $78,855 |
| Rank in Iowa (earnings) | 1st of 31 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $244 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 28% |
| Students with federal loans | 48% |
Majors and programs at Drake
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (51)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 83 | $79,236 | $20,250 |
| Data Analytics | 91 | $77,302 | $21,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 90 | $74,621 | $21,875 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 66 | $67,902 | $20,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 46 | $63,523 | $24,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 45 | $59,398 | $21,000 |
| Marketing | 95 | $58,558 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 70 | $48,959 | $24,125 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 101 | $47,102 | $21,750 |
| Journalism | 55 | $45,650 | $24,125 |
| Psychology | 76 | $45,648 | $24,188 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 73 | $44,185 | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government | 32 | $41,945 | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 23 | $41,219 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 41 | $41,178 | $16,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 46 | $37,787 | $23,000 |
| History | 33 | $36,144 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 26 | $33,633 | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 29 | $27,600 | $24,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 10 | — | — |
| Anthropology | 8 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 3 | — | — |
| Biology | 23 | — | — |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 17 | — | — |
| Business/Commerce | 12 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 21 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Economics | 28 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 17 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 3 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 15 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 84 | — | $20,980 |
| International Business | 31 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 28 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 8 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 38 | — | $24,250 |
| Music | 24 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 17 | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 11 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 7 | — | — |
| Physics | 11 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 18 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 19 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 11 | — | — |
| Sociology | 31 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 16 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 22 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 6 | — | — |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 1 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 20 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (17)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | 41 | $95,134 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 156 | $90,956 | $34,035 |
| Public Administration | 66 | $70,621 | $29,387 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 153 | $60,036 | $24,070 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 76 | $59,788 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 58 | $58,440 | $32,471 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 62 | $52,198 | $42,043 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 60 | $51,784 | $47,160 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 18 | — | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 11 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 9 | — | — |
| Data Analytics | 36 | — | — |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | 25 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 3 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 11 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 86 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 141 | $86,293 | $93,170 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 98 | $71,116 | $184,460 |
| Law | 204 | $70,385 | $92,317 |
Graduate certificate programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Data Analytics | 2 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1 | — | — |
| Public Health | 7 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Iowa
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette | $21,119 | 96% | $57,736 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | $23,689 | 77% | $66,659 |
| Waldorf University | Forest City | $24,003 | 77% | $58,667 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell | $15,203 | 15% | $72,106 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | $25,944 | 68% | $57,576 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | $21,705 | 99% | $58,718 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | $23,374 | 76% | $60,035 |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque | $25,171 | 89% | $60,869 |
About Drake
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Des Moines, IA |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 2,543 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 11 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | drake.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Drake's acceptance rate?
Drake University admits 64% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,292 on the SAT.
How much does Drake cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $65,475 a year (tuition and fees: $52,130). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $29,415 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $28,458.
How much do Drake graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $78,855 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 1st of 31 similar colleges in Iowa. The best-paid bachelor's program is management sciences and quantitative methods ($79,236 a year after graduation).
What is Drake's graduation rate?
71% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 84% of first-year students return for a second year.