Drake University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Drake University
Each spring the Drake Relays turn campus into a citywide celebration, a snapshot of the energy students feel year round. Drake is known for teaching that blends liberal-arts breadth with career-focused depth, especially in business, communications, public affairs, the sciences, the arts, and law. You'll find bright studios, well-equipped labs, a thoughtful library, and student services that show up when you need them tutoring, advising, writing support, counseling, and accessibility resources.
Student life leans active and welcoming, with radio and newsrooms, service projects, intramurals, club sports, and plenty of music and coffee on and around the quads. The culture feels Midwestern practical and civically engaged. And the location matters students tap internships across state government, insurance and finance, media, startups, and nonprofits. Des Moines brings a livable capital-city backdrop with arts venues, riverfront trails, and downtown opportunities. The blue-oval track is a point of pride. Notable alumni include golfer Zach Johnson and actor Michael Emerson.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Drake University offers 78 degree programs across 21 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,418 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (9 programs, 286 graduates), Business (11 programs, 280 graduates), Health (7 programs, 164 graduates), Law (2 programs, 117 graduates) and Communication (5 programs, 87 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (9 programs, 286 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 137 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 30 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Elementary Education | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 26 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Adult and Continuing Education | 12 |
|
Master's
|
13.1201 |
| Music Teacher Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development in Specific Subject Areas | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1399 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1311 |
Business (11 programs, 280 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 107 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Actuarial Science | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1304 |
| International Business and Trade | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Business and Management Services | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.9999 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1399 |
| Business Administration | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Finance | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0304 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
Health (7 programs, 164 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 75 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Occupational Therapy | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2306 |
| Medical Informatics | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Athletic Training | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2099 |
| Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2213 |
| Health Administration and Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
Law (2 programs, 117 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 99 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 18 |
|
Master's
|
22.9999 |
Communication (5 programs, 87 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Image Management | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0199 |
| Journalism | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0499 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Advertising | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0903 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 63 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analytics | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30.7101 |
Arts (10 programs, 59 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0402 |
| Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0599 |
| Music Performance | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Drawing | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0705 |
| Music | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.9999 |
| Acting | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0506 |
| Painting | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0708 |
| Art History and Conservation | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 57 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| International Relations | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Sociology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Anthropology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0299 |
| American Government and Politics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1002 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 56 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0102 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 42 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0299 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Zoology and Animal Biology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0799 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Drake University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Drake University
How much does it cost to attend Drake University?
The annual tuition at Drake University is $49,944 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $67,080 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,858 (on) / $9,360 (off) and books and supplies $1,100.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Drake University offer?
Drake University offers 78 academic programs across 21 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (9 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
- Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (2 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Drake University?
Drake University has an 64.1% acceptance rate and a 12.9% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 7,741
- Students admitted: 4,964
- Students enrolled: 639
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Drake University?
Drake University provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $31,783 and average loans of $9,575.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,088
- State/Local grants: $7,537
- Institutional grants: $28,667
- Federal loans: $5,433
The university supports 728 students with grants and 388 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Drake University graduates?
Drake University graduates earn a median salary of $58,233 after 6 years and $71,901 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $47,785 (25th percentile) to $110,436 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $130,200 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.