Drake University's unique size creates a distinctive learning environment that offers a broad-based liberal arts education, while its location in the state's center for business, publishing, government, and culture allows for unmatched professional preparation.
Drake University is widely regarded as one of the top ranking master’s institutions, both in the Midwest and nationally, for academic quality and value. Drake enrolls a heterogeneous group of nearly 5300 students, from 49 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Drake’s unique size creates a distinctive learning environment that offers a broad-based liberal arts education, while its location in the state's center for business, publishing, government, and culture allows for unmatched professional preparation. Students thrive within an intellectual environment offering more than 70 majors, covering subjects from the liberal arts to professional and pre-professional programs. Drake prides itself on alumni success, noting that 99% percent of 2016 Drake graduates embarked on careers or started graduate programs during their first six months out of school. Drake University is ranked #1 on the Federal College Scorecard for an average alumni salary of $55,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Drake Commitment
Drake provides the life-defining opportunities that a student needs to launch into a career, service, or graduate school through the Drake Commitment, which provides students with personal mentorship with professors, learning through service on a local, national, and global scale, an academic flexibility to explore interests, and the development of an exceptional resume through high-caliber internships.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
Experience College Life
Olmsted Center
Anderson Gallery
Helmick Commons
Residence Halls / Residence Life
Local Shopping Malls
Valley Junction
Science Center of Iowa
Movie theatres
Campus Tours
Dates: Year-round
Times: 9 a.m - 3 p.m.
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
While admission is selective, Drake University considers the full record of each candidate for admission. Since the University prefers students with varied talents and interests, there is no single and inflexible set of admission standards applied to all candidates for admission. The admission process involves a comprehensive review of a students academic background (courses and grades), standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), personal essay, recommendations, and activities both in high school and the community. Drake also offers the opportunity for most students to apply via our test flexible admission process which allows them to substitute their ACT or SAT score with an interview as a part of the process. Eligible students must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher (weighted or unweighted). Depending on the intended program of study or scholarship application, some students will be required to follow the standard path and submit either the ACT or SAT. Drake University does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
A completed application for first-year admission contains the following items: a completed application form an official high school transcript, and ACT or SAT scores and a personal essay. A recommendation, while not required, is strongly encouraged. Letters of recommendation can be submitted on your behalf by a teacher or high school counselor. Students may also have a counselor complete the High School Report & Counselor Recommendation supplement form. Students applying to transfer to Drake are required to submit official transcripts for all previous college-level coursework. Students applying via the test flexible path will be contacted by their admission counselor to participate in an interview.
Application for admission to undergraduate degree programs, except pre-pharmacy, may be made for any fall, spring, or summer term. Beginning October 15, students are notified of the admission decision within four to six weeks of the date that all materials are received. December 1 is the Early Action Priority Deadline priority deadline for consideration for admission and merit and need-based financial aid. Early Action Priority Applicants will be eligible for the following benefits:
- Priority consideration and notification for admission and the Presidential Scholarship.
- Priority for housing preferences
- Early notification of financial aid package by February 1.
- Pre-Pharmacy notification in December. (Please note Test-Flexible admission is not offered to pre-pharmacy students.)
- Regular Decision Deadline is March 1.
Candidates should contact:
Drake University
Office of Admission
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
800-44-DRAKE, x3181 or 1-800-443-7253 x 3181
515-271-3181 (locally and outside the U.S)
Fax: 515-271-2831
www.drake.edu
admission@drake.edu
Overview
SAT & ACT Test Scores
Testing Policies
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Selectivity Rating
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Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
From their first classes on the Drake campus, students have the chance to learn in an individualized, challenging, and supportive environment. Research opportunities abound; students work closely with their professors and often publish their findings. With more than 160 student-run organizations on campus, there is an outlet for students to investigate career paths and network with professionals in their field.
Students benefit from a combination of liberal arts training and professional preparation. Through the Drake Curriculum, all students take interactive classes that develop their critical thinking and expressive skills. Students also receive personalized academic advising. At the end of their four years, students undertake the Senior Capstone, which is a research project, thesis, or other major work that shows the concepts and skills the student has acquired at Drake. Drake's Honors Program is open to top students who wish to undertake a rigorous, interdisciplinary course of study.
Majors and Degrees Offered
College of Arts and Sciences:
Those studying in the College of Arts and Sciences receive a classic liberal arts education, preparing them for futures in science, mathematics, politics, and the arts, among many other areas. Students may earn their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in the following areas: anthropology and sociology; astronomy; biochemistry, cell and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; data analytics; English;; environmental science; history; international relations; kinesiology, law, politics, and society; mathematics; mathematics education (secondary); neuroscience; philosophy; physics; politics; psychology; religion; rhetoric and communication studies; sociology; study of culture and society; sustainability and resilience; and writing. Some students design their own majors, while others opt for open enrollment and do not immediately declare a major. The University also administers pre-professional study in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine and veterinary medicine. Concentrations are available in anthropology, geography, Latin American studies, animal behavior, women’s and gender studies, zoo and conservation science, and most fields that offer majors.
Students who attend the School of Fine Arts pursue their Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. The available fields include art, music, and theatre arts with a dual focus on teaching excellence and artistic creativity. Holding accreditation from by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Drake's Department of Art and Design offers instruction in art history, graphic design, and studio art (drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture). Students in the Department of Music select from degrees in applied music (instrumental, piano or vocal music performance) and music education. Other alternatives exist, such as a Bachelor of Arts degree with a music major, a Bachelor of Music degree with elective studies in business, and a Bachelor of Music with a jazz studies concentration. Those who wish to study theatre, acting, directing, theatre design, musical theatre, and theatre education enroll in the Department of Theatre Arts.
College of Business and Public Administration:
Students enrolled in the Drake University College of Business and Public Administration complete their undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in four years. Available majors include accounting, actuarial science, data analytics, economics, entrepreneurial management, finance, general business, information systems, international business, management, and marketing. Concentrations in insurance and law and business are also available. The College allows interdisciplinary majors, combinations of majors, and open business (undeclared) status. The College is a member of The International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences:
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers pre-professional and professional programs in athletic training (3+2 master’s in athletic training), Occupational Therapy (pre-OT/Doctor of Occupational Therapy with options for either a six or seven year track), and Pharmacy (pre-pharmacy/PharmD in six years). First-year students admitted directly to the pre-AT, pre-OT, or pre-pharmacy programs in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences complete are guaranteed consideration for admission into their professional programs, after completing the pre-professional requirements at Drake. A health sciences major with two tracks clinical and applied sciences and health services management— is also available. The College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and belongs to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
School of Journalism and Mass Communication:
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications offers a Bachelor of Arts majors in advertising, digital media production, news journalism, magazines, strategic political communication, or public relations. The School allows an open enrolled (undeclared) option and holds accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Programs at the School of Education lead to degrees in elementary or secondary education. Students may earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree that is tailored to prepare graduates for employment in elementary or secondary schools. Other options include adding middle school and coaching endorsements to teaching credentials. Drake University has belonged to the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education since the association's founding.
Interdisciplinary Concentrations:
Interdisciplinary concentrations are offered in behavior analysis of developmental disabilities, global public health and comparative studies and human resources management.
Law School/3+3 Law:
The Drake Law School boasts the only first-year (1L) Trial Practicum in the United States. Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Administration, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the School of Journalism offer combined 3+3 programs with the Drake University Law School. Students in this program can obtain their undergraduate degrees in three years in one of the aforementioned colleges or schools, then pursue a law degree for the next three years at the Law School.
Graduate Programs:
Drake grants master's degrees in: accounting, athletic training (starting in 2017), business administration, communication leadership, education, financial management, jurisprudence, and public administration. Students may also pursue their Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Jurisprudence, and Doctor of Education degrees. Joint degrees are also available in MBA/JD, MPA/JD, MBA/PharmD, MPA/PharmD, and PharmD/JD.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Molecular Biochemistry.
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BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting and Business/Management.
Accounting and Finance.
Accounting.
Actuarial Science.
Business/Commerce, General.
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies.
Finance, General.
International Business/Trade/Commerce.
Management Information Systems, General.
Management Science.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Advertising.
Broadcast Journalism.
Journalism.
Public Relations/Image Management.
Radio and Television.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Computer Science.
Information Technology.
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EDUCATION.
Curriculum and Instruction.
Education, General.
Educational Leadership and Administration, General.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
Mathematics Teacher Education.
Music Teacher Education.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
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HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.
Pharmacy.
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.
Pre-Law Studies.
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LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Music.
Theatre/Theater.
Writing.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MILITARY SCIENCE, LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL ART.
Air Force JROTC/ROTC.
Army JROTC/ROTC.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Neuroscience.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Ethics.
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Astronomy.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology, Other.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
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THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS.
Religious/Sacred Music.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Acting.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other.
Drawing.
Graphic Design.
Jazz/Jazz Studies.
Music Pedagogy.
Music Performance, General.
Painting.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology.
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Students Say
Degrees
Doctoral Other
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Students entering Drake University in the fall of 2017 will participate in Drake’s Tuition Guarantee. The Tuition Guarantee is a straightforward model of tuition pricing gives students and their family’s peace of mind in knowing that the cost of their tuition will not change in their four years at Drake. Tuition for these students will be $38,916 annually. Locking in tuition also means that a student’s scholarship from Drake will not lose value—as a percentage of tuition—during your college career. For more information about the Tuition Guarantee, please visit our website: drake.edu/tuition-guarantee.com.
Financial Aid
More than 98 percent of full-time students at Drake have their education financed to some degree with the help of financial aid. Students enrolling directly from high school received on average $19,090 in grants and scholarships from Drake University. More than 5,000 awards, worth $48 million, are given annually, in the form of need or merit-based grants and scholarships.
Dates
Required Forms
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
With more than 160 organizations operating on campus, students can always find activities that suit their interests. Elected student representatives run the Student Senate. Students also hold seats on some committees in the Faculty Senate. The Student Activities Board is charged with putting on special events, including cultural celebrations, social functions, guest speakers, and concerts. Drake also maintains the Residence Hall Association, composed of students who manage the logistics and activities surrounding residential life.
Faculty
The University employs professors who demonstrate a dedication to students along with academic prowess. Students benefit from the low 12:1 student-faculty ratio, and they never take classes from graduate students or teaching assistants.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Students take advantage of Drake's location in Des Moines, Iowa, the state capital and a thriving business center. Internships are available in fields such as government, banking, insurance, publishing, nonprofit organizations, and health care, and nearly over 90 percent of students participate in at least one internship during their four years at the University.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Students have access to the Cowles Library and its more than more than 600,000 books and journals, 100,000 federal and state government documents, 777,000 microform records, 118 electronic databases, and approximately 22,000 scholarly online journals. The collections also include DVDs and music CDs, as well as a digital repository of scholarship and historical material unique to Drake. In addition, many classes utilize the resources in specialized collections in the Law School, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Center for Teacher Education, and School of Fine Arts. Between the Dwight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library, there are 330,000 volumes, along with computer labs and study facilities. The Studio Theater, the Monroe Recital Hall, and the Hall of the Performing Arts are housed in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Another performance hall, Sheslow Auditorium with a capacity of 755 seats, is located in Old Main. The Bell Center offers a gym, pool, aerobic dance room, fitness room, basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts. A student-only fitness facility is also located in the student union. Additional athletic facilities are available in the Knapp Center, such as racquetball, volleyball and basketball courts, a jogging track, and a weight room. More than 7,000 people can congregate in Knapp for major events. Basketball courts and a track are available at the Fieldhouse, while the Tennis Center provides six indoor and six outdoor tennis courts. In 2015, Drake University is breaking ground on a $65 million dollar STEM complex.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Many students take advantage of overseas studies options offered through the Center for International Programs and Services, which includes semester and yearlong programs offered in more than 60 countries. In addition, Drake students are encouraged, through the Drake Commitment, to explore interests through a January Term (three week) course— with no added tuition cost. January Term courses often have travel seminar components.
VISITING CAMPUS
Drake University welcomes prospective students to Drake Monday-Friday for individual visits, which include a campus tour led by a current student and a counselor appointment. Opportunities to meet with faculty in your field or dine on campus may be requested, limited to availability of schedules. In addition, Drake University offers a variety of campus visit programs each fall, spring, and summer. Check upcoming visit options and register for a visit at www.drake.edu/visit.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Dorms Coed
Theme Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Student Activities
Sports
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Cheerleading
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Iowa State
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Iowa State Unviersity
Sustainability
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/