Drake University
Drake University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Drake University at a Glance
Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, law, and pharmacy. Drake University Law School was founded in 1865, which makes it one of the 25 oldest law schools in the United States.
1881
145 years old
$334M
$333.6 million (2025)
4,774
2,848 undergrad · 1,926 grad
300
150 acres
Identity
Is Drake University Worth It?
Drake University offers moderate value at $29,127/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $71,901, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Drake University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #14 of 60 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #3 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #14 | Drake University | 47 | $29,127 | $71,901 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Drake University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IA.
Best Programs at Drake University
The highest-earning program at Drake University is Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at $71,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $19,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduate from Drake University earns $71,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $19,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,127/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $71,600 | $71,600 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,300 | $58,300 | $23,739 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,600 | $54,600 | $23,885 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,700 | $53,700 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,100 | $47,100 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $46,400 | $46,400 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,900 | $41,900 | $19,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,900 | $39,900 | $26,951 |
| Journalism | $35,400 | $35,400 | $16,000 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $34,300 | $34,300 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $23,600 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $23,699 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | N/A |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $27,400 | $27,400 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,400 | $19,400 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Student Body
- 2,543 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,127
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,901
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000