Campus Identity
Drake University is a small private nonprofit university in Des Moines, IA. Approximately 2,543 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 64% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 7 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Drake University is a small private nonprofit university in Des Moines, IA. Approximately 2,543 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 64% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 7 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Drake University is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 7 miles from Big Creek Pounding Area and 6 miles from Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc..
Athletics
NCAA D1
Missouri Valley
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
7 miles
Big Creek Pounding Area
Weather
Cold Climate
43°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Drake University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc., 6 miles away. All are within 116 miles of campus.
Beach Town
Students at Drake University are 7 miles from Big Creek Pounding Area, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.
Big Creek Pounding Area
Ocean access within 7.3 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has a cool climate, with winters averaging 22°F in Jan and summers peaking around 76°F in Jul.
Station: DES MOINES INTERNATIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Drake University in IA earns a composite safety score of 45/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $52,130 |
| Fees | $228 |
| Room & Board | $12,452 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $64,810 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
79 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Drake University located?
Drake University is located in Des Moines, IA. The main campus address is 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Drake University?
Drake University has an acceptance rate of 64%, making it moderately selective. Out of 9,873 applicants, 6,304 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,543 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Drake University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Drake University scored between 24 and 29 on the ACT, with a median of 27. About 18% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Drake University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Drake University charges $52,130/year in tuition. Including room and board ($12,452/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $45,962/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,127/year — what students actually pay. Use Drake University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Drake University have college sports?
Yes — Drake University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Missouri Valley. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is Drake University the right fit for me?
Whether Drake University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (64% admit rate), avg net price ($29,127/year after aid), campus culture in Des Moines, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Drake University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Drake University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Missouri Valley
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 43°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 45/100
- Nearest Airport
- Des Moines, IA (DSM) · 5 mialso OTM (71 mi), FOD (71 mi)
Location
Des Moines, IA