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Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa · Private nonprofit · 4-year · City

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At a glance

Average net price
$29,127What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
64%
Graduation rate
76%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
2,543
In-state tuition
$52,130Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$52,130
SAT midpoint
1,300
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$71,901Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$29,127

Better than 23% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

76%

Better than 84% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$71,901

Better than 84% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$23,000

Better than 65% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$64,835

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$29,127

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

What would this cost me?
Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Drake University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time76%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return84%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$23,000
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$71,901

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Drake University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$80,04451
Computer and Information Sciences, General$69,83534
Accounting and Related Services$65,92231
Finance and Financial Management Services$62,04934
Marketing$51,96849
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,80613
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$44,49263
Journalism$41,91337
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$41,63023
Biology, General$41,2268
Legal Professions and Studies, Other$29,273Not reported
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$19,61313
Data AnalyticsNot reported48
Psychology, GeneralNot reported41
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralNot reported41
Non-Professional Legal StudiesNot reported38
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyNot reported25
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported19
Political Science and GovernmentNot reported19
SociologyNot reported19
International BusinessNot reported17
International Relations and National Security StudiesNot reported16
MathematicsNot reported16
HistoryNot reported15
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsNot reported12
Neurobiology and NeurosciencesNot reported12
MusicNot reported11
EconomicsNot reported11
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesNot reported11
ChemistryNot reported10
Design and Applied ArtsNot reported10
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessNot reported8
Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationNot reported8
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasNot reported7
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationNot reported7
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherNot reported6
AnthropologyNot reported5
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported5
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesNot reported5
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reported5
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported4
PhysicsNot reported4
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported3
PhilosophyNot reported3
Business/Commerce, GeneralNot reported3
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reported2
Visual and Performing Arts, OtherNot reported2
Entrepreneurial and Small Business OperationsNot reported2
Communication and Media StudiesNot reported2
Astronomy and AstrophysicsNot reported2
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesNot reported1
Management Information Systems and ServicesNot reportedNot reported

All 52 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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