Drake University

Drake offers over 150 majors and programs, with standout strengths in business, pharmacy, journalism, and actuarial science (one of only a few U.S. programs with a dedicated actuarial science major). The Princeton Review highlights its theater program, while students praise the accessibility of professors—a hallmark of Drake's emphasis on undergraduate teaching. The most popular majors cluster in the social sciences (7%), visual/performing arts (7%), and biological/biomedical sciences (5%). Small class sizes are the norm, with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio.

• Signature programs: Drake Law School’s constitutional law center is nationally recognized, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication operates professional media outlets like the Times-Delphic newspaper.

Life at Drake balances Big Ten energy (it’s a Division I school with spirited basketball rivalries) and a tight-knit campus where 62% of students live on campus. Over 150 student clubs range from a thriving Greek life (30% participation) to niche groups like the "Drake Relays" organizing committee for its famed track event. Des Moines provides internships and cultural perks (the city’s sculpture park is a block away), but students say the campus itself is "absolutely beautiful" with smoke-free, walkable quads.

• Athletics: The Bulldogs compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, with basketball games at the Knapp Center drawing loyal crowds.
• Traditions: Homecoming’s "Paint the Town" event and the Drake Relays—a premier track meet since 1910—anchor the calendar.

Drake’s 77% graduation rate (well above the national average) reflects its supportive academic culture. Within six months of graduation, 95.2% of 2024 graduates were employed or in grad school. Alumni earn a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation, with strong placement in Des Moines’ corporate and legal sectors (the city hosts major insurers like Principal and Wells Fargo). The Wall Street Journal ranked Drake as Iowa’s top private university for outcomes three years running, crediting its career-focused curriculum.

Drake’s sticker price is steep ($52,988/year for tuition), but guaranteed scholarships slash that cost: 70% of first-years receive need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. (average award: $33,539), and all admitted students get merit scholarships covering 45–66% of tuition, reducing net tuition to $17,988–$25,988. The university meets 85% of demonstrated need on average. For context, 59% of students receive financial aid, with average packages totaling $40,774—making Drake more affordable than its private peers.

Drake is the rare school that combines big-city opportunities (Des Moines’ Fortune 500 scene) with small-college camaraderie. Its journalism students cover presidential caucuses firsthand, pharmacy majors train in a state-of-the-art facility, and everyone benefits from a career services team that leverages local corporate ties. The "Drake vibe" is upbeat and engaged—think debate teams hosting national events, or the entire campus shutting down for Relays. For students seeking a personalized education with professional polish, it’s a hidden gem.