Drexel University

Drexel’s academic identity is defined by its cooperative education (co-op) program, which integrates six-month professional rotations into the curriculum. The university is undergoing an Academic Transformation to streamline its offerings, but it still provides over 80 undergraduate majors, with notable strength in engineering, business, and health sciences (Drexel Undergrad Programs). Popular majors include Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (5%) and Biological/Biomedical Sciences (5%) (US News Academics). The College of Arts and Sciences alone offers 40+ minors, spanning humanities to natural sciences (CoAS Programs). The Princeton Review highlights Drexel’s ‘dynamic curriculum’ that merges theory with hands-on experience, a hallmark of its career-focused ethos.

Life at Drexel is fast-paced and urban, with students balancing co-op rotations and academics. The campus vibe is more pragmatic than rah-rah, though Reddit users note ‘a decent amount of good house parties’ and active clubs (Reddit). The university fosters inclusivity through the Student Center for Inclusion and Culture (SCIC), which supports intercultural dialogue (Drexel Family Portal). Housing costs $11,232/year (Niche Campus Life), and the dorms are a mix of high-rises and historic Philly buildings. With Philadelphia as a backdrop, students tap into the city’s internships, food scene, and cultural offerings—Drexel’s official Facebook page calls campus life ‘vibrant and full of excitement’.

Drexel delivers on its promise of high earnings and strong career placement. Graduates earn 6% above the national average, with $63,417 average salary one year post-graduation (Drexel Outcomes, Twitter). A Brookings study found Drexel alumni out-earn peers by $20K annually (WSJ). The six-year graduation rate is 77% (Research.com), up from 69.4% in 2013 (Drexel Strategic Plan). The university ranks in the top 3% of U.S. schools for earnings a decade after graduation (Twitter), a testament to its co-op model’s ROI.

Drexel’s sticker price is steep at $64,212/year (US News), but 75% of first-years receive need-based aid, averaging $40,401 (US News Paying). The net price after aid is $42,342 (BigFuture Costs), with an average aid package of $28,345. The university encourages use of its Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates (Drexel NPC). Notably, co-op earnings can offset costs, though this isn’t quantified in official data.

Drexel’s co-op program is its crown jewel, offering students up to 18 months of paid work experience before graduation—a rarity in higher ed. The urban integration with Philadelphia means classrooms extend into the city’s labs, firms, and hospitals. While not as selective as Ivy peers, Drexel punches above its weight in ROI, with alumni earnings in the top 3% nationally. This is a school for doers, not dawdlers: the quarter system and co-op rotations demand hustle, but the payoff—a resume stacked with experience—is undeniable.