Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize city

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa. 2,543 undergraduates. Admits 64% of applicants.

Iowa colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
71%Graduation rate16 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$29,415Average net price per year48% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$78,855Median earnings 10 years after starting34% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$21,500Median debt at graduationAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($21,500) equals 27% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($78,855).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$28,458
$30,000–$48,000$25,119
$48,001–$75,000$25,416
$75,001–$110,000$28,365
Over $110,000$32,318

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $52,130.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate71%54%
Return for second year84%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$59,016$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$78,855$58,912
Median debt at graduation$21,500$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

75 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General56$74,621$101,837$22,376
Accounting and Related Services15$63,523$97,309$25,875
Mathematics22—$96,741$24,250
Finance and Financial Management Services32$67,902$91,177$20,500
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration4—$83,957—
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods32$79,236—$20,000
Marketing46$58,558$78,663$24,000
Data Analytics43$77,302—$21,500
Political Science and Government13$41,945$76,986—
Journalism18$45,650$70,359$24,500
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication38$47,102$67,390$22,215
History18$36,144$62,967—
Biology, General15—$62,909—
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology21$37,787$60,859$23,721
Business Administration, Management and Operations32$59,398—$21,000
Psychology, General35$45,648$55,780$24,879
English Language and Literature, General13—$53,196—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods47$48,959$51,173$26,000
Non-Professional Legal Studies35$44,185—$23,000
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies12$41,219——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research22$41,178—$16,500
Design and Applied Arts16$33,633——
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft16$27,600—$27,000
Communication and Media Studies3———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication10———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas15———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics8———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities3———
Zoology/Animal Biology1———
Neurobiology and Neurosciences5———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness8———
Philosophy4———
Religion/Religious Studies2———
Astronomy and Astrophysics1———
Chemistry11———
Physics7———
Anthropology3———
Economics17———
International Relations and National Security Studies12———
Sociology12———
Fine and Studio Arts10———
Music13———
Visual and Performing Arts, Other4———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General43——$27,000
Health and Medical Administrative Services1———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions5———
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions7———
Business/Commerce, General9———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations1———
International Business14———
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other11———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

64%Admission rate
1,292Average SAT of admitted students
24–29ACT middle 50%
11:1Students per faculty member
28%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Iowa

Dordt UniversitySioux Center · net price $25,944 · grad rate 72%Northwestern CollegeOrange City · net price $24,716 · grad rate 66%Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport · net price $23,689 · grad rate 70%Cornell CollegeMount Vernon · net price $25,297 · grad rate 60%Wartburg CollegeWaverly · net price $23,374 · grad rate 68%Luther CollegeDecorah · net price $23,945 · grad rate 65%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Drake University cost per year?
The average net price at Drake University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $29,415 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Drake University graduates earn?
Former Drake University students earn a median of $78,855 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Drake University?
71% of Drake University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Drake University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Drake University is $21,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.