About Drake University

Founded in 1881, Drake University. is a Private college. Located in Iowa, which is a city setting in Iowa, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,267 full time undergraduate students, and 1,734 full time graduate students.

The Drake University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 301 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Drake University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate68%
Application Deadline
Application Fee25
SAT Range1050-1340
ACT Range25-30

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,39% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 16 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

94% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 75% were in the top quarter, and 42% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Drake University.

6%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
9%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
44%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
48%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
19%
“We live for the big game”
9%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
9%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
59%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
81%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
9%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
19%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
53%
“We only party on weekends”
28%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
16%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
59%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
6%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
9%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
44%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
48%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
19%
“We live for the big game”
9%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
9%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
59%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
81%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
9%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
19%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
53%
“We only party on weekends”
28%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
16%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
59%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Drake University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    107 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    78 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    106 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 6 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    110 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    110 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 72 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    111 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    111 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    110 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Drake University?

37 Students rated Drake University

Madison - 01/11/2023

I first visited Drake University in my senior year of high school. I had first started the college search process. When I immediately started my visit it seemed very welcoming. Everyone was very positive. I am a first generation college student so this all was very confusing. My admissions counselor was a tremendous help. I now have everything figured out and am very optimistic about attending Drake.

Angel - 11/15/2021

Let me put it this way: I got 3 holds on my account in 1 year, all for not submitting a health form. Except, the health form was submitted 5 times, via the online submission, mail-in and eventually just me bringing it in--in-person, during a pandemic, and I'm a high-risk individual. Drake had LOST my PRIVATE HEALTH INFORMATION at least FOUR times. I got a hold on my account for not paying my fall tuition. Except, I have receipts from my student savings account that confirm that the money way paid. I don't know what the hell is going on in Drake's offices, but they're either wholly irresponsible, and shouldn't be allowed anywhere NEAR important information, or they're stealing information and money and need to be in prison. I'm sick of not getting to register for classes, when I've done everything correctly. Maybe this will get the stupid board to listen for once. Don't go to this school. I'll be transferring next year.

Anna

Drake University is a very nice college. It has great academics, and the professors really care about how well the students succeed. Although the neighborhoods surrounding the college may not be the best, public safety does a great job at making everyone feel safe. There are plenty of activities to participate in, and a club for anyone to get involved in some way.

Kailey

Drake is great

Drake University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Drake University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Drake University is 68%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    When I think back on my senior year of high school, nothing positive comes to mind. That’s not to say that there weren't good moments- there were- but they have been overshadowed by experiences that are best left forgotten. I could dive into details of deteriorating friendships and rumors, but it is easier to say what it resulted in- my loss of faith in people. My advice to myself? Don’t lose it. You are about to walk onto a campus with genuine, motivated, likeminded people. They want you to succeed. They take pleasure in seeing you happy. They go out of their way to help you reach your goals, and are the first to congratulate you when you do. They know what it means to be a friend. I know- it seems unlikely or surreal, but I ensure you that these people are one-of-a-kind, and YOU are one of them. You'll discover you have everything to be thankful for; your family, LOYAL friends, and the high school years that made you strong. So, leave the memories and those people at your high school’s door; forgive, forget, and you'll have faith again.

    Read all  109 answers
  3. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    how small it really was

    Read all  25 answers
  4. What's unique about your campus?

    The relays in the spring. Because it is a time that the whole school shows spirit!

    Read all  25 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about Drake is the food and the fact that you are required to pay on campus living prices through your sophomore year - nothing major! The food isn't bad, you just have to watch what you eat sometimes. And dorm living is always expensive.

    Read all  24 answers
  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for the Drake Relays- one of the biggest track meets in the country. It is a week long affair, and even includes fun activities outside the track, like the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. Allumni and althetes come from all around the country for this anual reunion. It is the best time of the year!

    Read all  22 answers
  7. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are intelligent, kindhearted, and completely strange and I love them.

    Read all  19 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Drake University is personal. The first time I visited the campus I met a counselour and she later came to my school and remembered who I was and even commented on my hair cut. I felt so special to have someone at Drake who remember me and was concerned with my higher education. The same applies to the professors, everyone is a class often recieves multiple personal meetings with professor so they can have a better understanding of how to make your education more successful. I love how much care there is from the staff about my education.

    Read all  18 answers
  9. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Drake is a modern campus which stresses the importance of community and self betterment as well as acedemic achievement to prepare its students to be successful.

    Read all  18 answers
  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    There is nothing frustrating about Kaplan. I like everything about it. There is limited amount of students in my classes and the teachers are very helpful with everything.

    Read all  16 answers
  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Whether you were the biggest jock in your highschool, the spirited cheerleader, the independent one, the biggest book worm, the prom queen, the artsy thinker, or the punk rocker in the school band, you should attend this high school. You will find great education, a number of friends, caring mentors, and a home. The school is a community in itself accepting of everyone who enters because each person brings a diversity and a uniqueness to campus making Drake what it is--always redefining itself with changing times. Drake is for anyone ready for a needed change.

    Read all  16 answers
  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone from a large city and is used to a lot of people. Also someone who is antisocial or lazy, and does not attempt to make friends.

    Read all  14 answers
  13. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    When I brag about my school, I brag about the Drake Relays, but more importantly, the quality of the people that attend Drake. I have never before been surrounded by such motivated, genuine, like-minded individuals. I am proud to attend the same school as every single one of them. On top of being kind individuals, they are all intelligent and have worked for everything that they have accomplished. Everyone is involved on the campus, so it is easy to make great friends.

    Read all  14 answers
  14. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    The majority of people stick around on the weekends, and if you they're not on campus they're out having fun in Des Moines. You'll find underage drinking comparable to most schools during the first few few years, but at Drake they focus on keeping students safe rather than punishment. I can't believe how many friends from other schools talk about "MIP's" as a daily occurance. Drake takes responsibility for their own students safety by campus security dealing with nearly all problems, rather than the police.

    Read all  6 answers
  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    Top notch. All of the different schools (journalism, business, pharmacy, etc). have their bragging points, but in general great professors, wide variety of classes and challenging in a good way. In response to the tranfer student, I don't know of any professor that would make those comments, let alone have a desire to deal with a student as apathetic and negative as yourself...

    Read all  6 answers
  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Drake's best quality is definitely the small classroom. Whether you graduated with 50 or 900 students, you can't deny the benefits of getting to know your peers and profs at college. Professors typically make a very concerted effort to learn the names of their students, interact on a personal level in and out of the classroom and are required to hold a minimum number of office hours per week, though most make themselves available more than is healthy for any professional (some even give out home or cell numbers). Drake's smaller size sometimes scares students away, who think you need to be surrounded by 20,000+ students to make any friends in college. Not true. Making friends and meeting people is a new challenge no matter the size of your school. It's what the college does to help you along the way that's important.

    Read all  5 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    people from the des moines area think drake students are smart, rich snobs.

    Read all  5 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    meh, you can make the argument that all stereotypes are based on a grain of truth, but then again they're just stereotypes. experience things for yourself, form your own opinions and then come back here, answer this question, and perpetuate misconceptions. Yay!!

    Read all  5 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

3,267

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,734

Total Grad Students

70%

Out-Of-State

28%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

191

Student Organizations

8

Fraternities

7

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

33%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
79%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

99% of students attending Drake University receive some sort of financial aid. 17% were awarded federal grants. While 57% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$35,206

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,100

Books and Supplies

$9,850

Room and Board

46,156

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$23,087
$30 - $48K
$23,113
$48 - $75K
$24,280
$75 - $110K
$27,402
$110K & UP
$29,752

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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