Where Bulldogs lead and futures begin.
Strong roots, bright futures.
Drake is a close-knit community with big-city access. Located in the heart of Des Moines—a dynamic capital city with incredible amenities—you’ll have access to hands-on experiences in industries from business to healthcare, the arts to public service. With 150+ majors and programs, individualized support, and a strong liberal arts foundation, you won’t just prepare for your career—you’ll be equipped to make a meaningful difference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BY THE NUMBERS
A few numbers that tell you a lot about what you can expect in your Drake experience.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Our campus activities are as diverse and vibrant as our students.
ATHLETICS
Sixteen Division 1 sports and free student tickets with your Drake ID. Let’s go Bulldogs!
DES MOINES
Experience a dynamic capital city—full of internship opportunities, culture, and energy.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Learn how Drake invests in you—and how we make a premium education more accessible.
ACADEMICS
Get to know the many academic programs available and the outcomes made possible by a Drake education.
A Drake education by the numbers.
Whether you know exactly where you’re headed or need some time and guidance to get there, you’ll find the options, support, and student connections to help you reach your goals.
60%+
Out-of-state students
More than 75% of classes have fewer than 30 students
Built-in peer and academic COACHING
0 Classes taught by teaching assistants
Infinite combinations of coursework, hands-on experience, and global studies
150+
Majors and programs across seven colleges and schools
A TOP 100 Private School in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report)
4,300+
Undergraduate and graduate students
#1
Private College in Iowa (Wall Street Journal)
Students come from 49 states and 43 countries
29.5%
First-generation students
More than your major.
When you walk Drake’s campus, you’ll soon discover a vibrant community where everyone can find their place and purpose—from the unapologetically ambitious to the courageously creative.
And these marvelous differences are celebrated along the heartbeat that is our campus—Painted Street. Individual squares represent just a few of our student organizations each year.
Multiple passions? You’ll fit right in.
170+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
From academics to multicultural organizations, there’s an organization for everyone, including those who want to make their own.
ARTS IN ABUNDANCE
Drake offers five theatre productions a year, a full symphony orchestra, a wind ensemble and symphonic band, four choral ensembles, two large jazz ensembles, and marching and pep bands.
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Interested in giving back? Join a service organization and support the community alongside fellow Drake Bulldogs.
GREEK LIFE
More than 30% of Drake Bulldogs are involved in Greek Life.
DRAKE SPORTS CLUBS
For those who are driven to win, we have multiple premier sports clubs, including ice hockey, badminton, frisbee, and baseball.
INTRAMURALS
From sand volleyball to pickleball, intramurals serve up competition and fun all over campus.
BRAVE. BOLD. BUZZERBEATING
BLUE.
Get ready to get loud with Spike and Griff II. Our 16 Division I athletic programs have a tradition of winning, so there’s always plenty to cheer about.
Get into Drake home athletic events for free with your student ID.
Drake Relays
For more than 115 years, athletes—including Olympians—from around the world have competed in track and field events hosted by the Drake Relays. Outside the stadium, students enjoy a week-long celebration of traditions, including the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, street painting, an outdoor concert, the Drake Road Races, a foam dance party, and a lot more!
8 NCAA tournament appearances by Men’s and Women’s basketball in the past seven years
35 NCAA Championship appearances by 12 athletic programs since 2018 1 of just 2 private schools to ever earn the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports championship
Drake’s campus is located in the heart of Iowa’s capital city, Des Moines. And Des Moines is a pretty big deal. The city is consistently ranked one of the best places to live—especially for young professionals. As the accolades gain attention, the city has become one of the fastest-growing metros in the Midwest, with a population of more than 750,000.
DES MOINES Rising skylines, soaring Bulldogs.
Des Moines is a political epicenter, a national business hub, and a city that knows how to mix entertainment, culture, and professional opportunities. If live music is your scene, the East Village has you covered. Late-night hunger? Des Moines has plenty of spots to satisfy. Down to get airborne? Check out our skate park—the largest in the nation. Getting a foot in the door is easy with an internship at one of Des Moines’ industry-leading businesses.
You’ll love exploring our hometown.
#3
Most Livable City in the U.S.
(Reader’s Digest, 2025)
#1
Best place to live in Iowa for young adults. (SoFi, 2025)
#2
Best Place for Young Professionals (Forbes, 2024)
87 Miles of Paved and Soft Trails
MOINES
Ambition meets opportunity.
Access to opportunity is a fundamental right. Our pathways ensure more students experience the transformational power of a Drake education.
No Tuition Increases
Scholarships
100% of qualifying full-time undergraduate students receive a scholarship that cuts the cost of tuition by $24,000 or more. This is just the beginning. We also offer schooling grants, as well as merit-based and needbased awards to provide you with the most complete financial aid package available.
View Drake’s comprehensive scholarship opportunities at drake.edu/scholarships
Drake’s Tuition Guarantee means your tuition won’t increase over your four undergraduate years. While other colleges implement tuition increases each year, at Drake, you’re protected from tuition increases and surprises.
Full-Tuition Programs for Qualifying Iowans
Drake offers two full-tuition coverage programs for qualifying Iowa students—the Bulldog Promise and the Bright College Pathway.
A Lifetime of Value
Learn more about Drake’s Tuition Guarantee
Drake ranks #1 in Iowa for median salary 10 years after a student’s enrollment (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Drake ranks in the top 3% nationally for lifetime return on investment (Bipartisan Policy Center)
It’s not just about evaluating costs it’s about understanding the return on your investment. The value of a Drake education is profound. #1 3% $1.5M
The lifetime return on investment of a Drake education (Bipartisan Policy Center)
Learn boldly, think broadly.
Your student journey is uniquely yours, guided by the support of faculty mentors, advisors, and career coaches. You will learn from faculty who are passionate practitioners, experienced and connected in the fields you pursue.
Prepare to Stand Out
Your future career will be boosted by hands-on learning opportunities that expose you to real-world scenarios and problem-solving to help you stand out from the crowd upon graduation. Our unique position in the heart of the capital allows our students incredible access to private and public sector industry experiences.
90.1% of our students participate in an internship, fieldwork, or independent research prior to graduation.
The World is Your Classroom
We weave global learning into your Drake education because we know Bulldogs are better prepared to succeed when they have a global mindset. Whether you’re hearing directly from a U.S. ambassador in your classroom, or studying across the globe, you’ll gain experience that will strengthen your ability to adapt, communicate, and think critically. These qualities help you to not only learn, but lead.
31% of students had a study abroad experience compared to 10% nationally (2024 graduating class)
DRAKE’S COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
John Dee Bright College
School of Education
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Zimpleman College of Business
Drake Law School
J-Term is a three-week intensive course to try something new or to get ahead in your major. Address global health challenges in India, forge metal into form, or code the next groundbreaking app—and call it homework. Whether you want to see the world or simply see what you’re capable of, J-Term gives you the space to do something extraordinary.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
American Politics
Anthropology and Sociology
Anthropology Minor
Black Diaspora Minor
Creative Writing and Writing Studies
Creative Writing and Writing Studies Minor
English
English Minor
French Language and Culture Minor
German Language and Culture Minor
History
History Minor
Human Resources
Management Concentration
Human Rights Studies Minor
International Relations
International Relations Minor
Japanese Language and Culture Minor
Latin American Studies Minor
Law, Politics, and Society
Philosophy
Philosophy Minor
Politics
Politics Minor
Religious and Interfaith Studies Minor
Sociology
Sociology Minor
Spanish
Spanish Language and Culture Minor
Spanish for Medical and Health
Professionals Minor
Women’s and Gender Studies Concentration
ART AND DESIGN
Art History
Art History Minor
Graphic Design
Graphic Design Minor
Studio Arts
Studio Arts Minor
MUSIC
Applied Music (Instrumental, Vocal, Strings or Piano Performance)
Music
Music Education (Instrumental or Choral)
Music Minor
Music Major with Elective Studies in Business
Music Major with Jazz Studies
Musical Theatre Concentration
THEATRE ARTS
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Minor
Theatre Acting
Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts with Teaching Certificate
Theatre Design and Technology
Theatre Design and Technology Minor
Theatre Minor
Vocal Music Concentration
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Minor
Behavior Analysis of Developmental
Disabilities Concentration
Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
Biology
Biology Minor
Biophysics Concentration
Chemistry
Chemistry Minor
Comparative Animal Behavior Concentration
Computer Science
Computer
Science Minor
Cybersecurity Minor
Data Analytics
Data Analytics Minor
Economics
Economics Minor
Environmental Science
Environmental Science Minor
Environmental Sustainability and Resilience
Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Minor
Global and Comparative Public Health Concentration
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Mathematics Minor
Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Mathematics for Secondary Education Minor
Neuroscience
Neuroscience Minor
Physics
Physics Minor
Psychology
Psychology Minor
Quantitative Economics
Spatial and Informational Technology Minor
Zoo and Conservation Science
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Individualized Major
Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences Concentration
Military Studies Minor
Open Enrolled
BRIGHT COLLEGE
AA Degree in Business, Organization, and Professional Studies
AA Degree in Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities
Open Enrolled
ZIMPLEMAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Accounting
Accounting Minor
Actuarial Science
Actuarial Science Minor
Business Studies Minor
Business Law
Data Analytics
Data Analytics Minor
Economics
Economics Minor
Entrepreneurship Minor
Finance
Finance Minor
Information Systems
Information Systems Minor
International Business
Internation Business Minor
Law and Business Minor
Management and Organizational
Leadership Management Minor
Marketing
Marketing Minor
Open Business
Quantitative Economics
Risk Management and Insurance Minor
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Education Studies Minor
Elementary Teacher Education (K–6)
International Education Minor
International Teaching Minor
Leadership Education and Development Minor
Secondary Teacher Education (5–12)
Social Justice in Urban
Education Concentration
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
Advertising
Advertising Minor
Digital Media Production
Magazine and Brand Media
Magazine and Brand Media Minor
Multimedia Journalism
Open Communication
Open Journalism
Public Relations
Sports Media and Communications
Strategic Political Communications
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Global and Comparative Public Health Concentration
Health Sciences, Clinical & Medical Sciences
Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration
Health Sciences, Pre-Nursing
Health Sciences, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Health Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy
Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing (ABSN)
PRE-PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Pre-Athletic Training
Pre-Counseling
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Global Ambassador
Corporate Public Relations
Global and Cultural Communication
Nonprofit and Advocacy Communication
Graduate Programs
More opportunities open up before you. Find out how at drake.edu/graduate.
ZIMPLEMAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Business Analytics Certificate
Master of Business Administration
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science in Business Analytics
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Principal and Superintendent Licensure
Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.): Educational Leadership
Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.): Principal and Superintendent Licensure
Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary Certification)
Master of Science in Counseling
Master of Science in Education: Effective Teaching (online)
Master of Science in Education: Instructional Leadership and Teaching Practices
Master of Science in Education: Literacy Education
Master of Science in Education: Montessori Education
Master of Science in Education: Special Education
Master of Science in Education: STEM Education
Master of Science in Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure
Master of Science in Leadership
Master of Science in Teaching (Elementary Certification)
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
Master of Arts in Communication
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Diabetes Concentration
Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
Master of Science in Health
Informatics and Analytics
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD)
Psychopharmacotherapy Certificate
LAW SCHOOL
Juris Doctor
Master of Jurisprudence
Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management
Master of Law
ACCELERATED GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Combined Law and MBA or MPA
Combined Pharmacy and JD
Combined Pharmacy and MBA or MPA
Combined Pharmacy and MSLD
An experience that opens doors.
PROVEN OUTCOMES:
82.9% of students who start and complete their bachelor’s degree at Drake graduate within four years or less.
95.2% of 2024 graduates secured jobs or attended graduate school within six months of graduation (based on a response rate of 89.4% compared to the national average response rate of 55.8%).
POWERFUL NETWORK:
90,400+
alumni in all 50 states and 97 countries
DIS COV ER
Welcome to Drake University. A place that celebrates curiosity and community. A place where we believe in opening doors and holding them open for others. A place where we have the courage to explore new ideas, push the status quo, and pursue what’s possible. A place where you belong.
Each year, Bulldogs bring new color to campus traditions and take part in unique experiences that spark bright futures. Our Bucksbaum Lecture Series gives you a front-row seat to be inspired by those challenging the status quo, like Megan Rapinoe, those redefining grace and grit, like Misty Copeland, and those making it work, like Tim Gunn.
Drake students don’t just watch presidential debates on the national stage. They are part of the debate prep.
Before student organizations turn Painted Street into a thoughtful and brightly colorded concrete canvas, a wild and wonderful paint fight ensues.
Office of Admission
515-271-3181
admission@drake.edu
drake.edu
@DrakeUniversity
