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Drake University
Drake University says yes to 63.8% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $71,901 median earnings.
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Drake University sits in Des Moines proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, where graduates median $97,132 four years out. 21.7% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 2,543 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 84.1% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1190 and 1390 — above the IA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Drake University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Drake University received 7,741 applications and admitted 4,964 (64.1%), with 639 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 1190–1390 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Drake University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 610 | 640 | 690 |
| SAT Math | 580 | 640 | 700 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 27 | 30 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Drake University compares
| Drake University | Iowa median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 63.8% | 80.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $52,130 | $36,684 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $71,901 | $55,396 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Drake University: $71,901 median at year ten, versus $55,396 across Iowa institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $52,130 regardless of where you're from. At Drake University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 2,543 undergrads, Drake University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
74% of Drake University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 19.2 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $52,130 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Drake University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $97,132 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $90,639 |
| Economics | $88,638 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $88,637 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $87,582 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $87,551 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $75,867 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,523 |
| Marketing | $71,246 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $67,547 |
| Political Science and Government | $67,257 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $63,302 |
| Journalism | $62,969 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,834 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $57,563 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $54,950 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $52,326 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $50,591 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $49,764 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,289 |
| Psychology, General | $47,706 |
| History | $42,256 |
| Music | $42,233 |
Median earnings for these 23 Drake University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $71,901 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 29 additional Drake University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Drake University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1190–1390 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 63.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Drake University's acceptance rate?
64.1% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,964 admitted from 7,741 applicants.
How much does Drake University cost?
At Drake University, published tuition is $52,130 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Drake University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Drake University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $71,901 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Iowa
- Dordt University — 68.5% admitted
- Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary — 67.5% admitted
- Graceland University-Lamoni — 80.8% admitted
- Cornell College — 79.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.