Drexel University
Drexel University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Drexel University at a Glance
Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Drexel's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. Founded as Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, it was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, before assuming its current name in 1970. As of 2020, more than 24,000 students were enrolled in over 70 undergraduate programs and more than 100 master's, doctoral,…
1891
135 years old
$1.1B
$1.13 billion (2025)
24,205
15,346 undergrad · 8,859 grad
96 acres
Identity
Is Drexel University Worth It?
Drexel University offers moderate value at $38,509/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $84,648, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 78% graduation rate means roughly 22% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Drexel University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 10 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 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | Marquette University | 51 | $31,487 | $78,257 |
| #3 | University of St Thomas | 48 | $29,155 | $73,739 |
| #4 | Drexel University | 43 | $38,509 | $84,648 |
| #5 | Seton Hall University | 39 | $31,446 | $70,196 |
| #6 | University of Denver | 38 | $36,131 | $71,155 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Drexel University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in PA.
Best Programs at Drexel University
The highest-earning program at Drexel University is Computer Science at $74,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $18,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Drexel University earns $74,800, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $18,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $29,384 in median debt vs. $25,025 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,509/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $74,800 | $74,800 | $29,384 |
| Computer Engineering | $70,800 | $70,800 | $29,583 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,900 | $69,900 | $18,625 |
| Chemical Engineering | $68,400 | $68,400 | $31,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,400 | $67,400 | $31,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $66,100 | $66,100 | $31,000 |
| Construction Management | $66,000 | $66,000 | $29,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $29,875 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $64,500 | $64,500 | $25,000 |
| Architectural Engineering | $63,400 | $63,400 | $31,000 |
| Materials Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $31,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $62,500 | $62,500 | $31,000 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $61,500 | $61,500 | $25,475 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,500 | $61,500 | $27,500 |
| Economics | $61,000 | $61,000 | $29,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $59,600 | $59,600 | $27,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $59,500 | $59,500 | $26,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $58,900 | $58,900 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,800 | $57,800 | $27,913 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $57,000 | $57,000 | $27,875 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,100 | $56,100 | $29,962 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $56,000 | $56,000 | $27,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $55,500 | $55,500 | $30,978 |
| Mathematics | $55,400 | $55,400 | $26,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $55,100 | $55,100 | $30,495 |
| International Business | $54,000 | $54,000 | $26,500 |
| Architecture | $51,400 | $51,400 | $31,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $48,300 | $48,300 | $28,917 |
| Marketing | $47,700 | $47,700 | $27,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $44,700 | $44,700 | $29,417 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,500 | $43,500 | $26,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,900 | $42,900 | $17,333 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $41,400 | $41,400 | $26,500 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $41,300 | $41,300 | $28,000 |
| Biology, General | $36,100 | $36,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,600 | $35,600 | $27,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $34,700 | $34,700 | $27,250 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $31,300 | $31,300 | $24,500 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $26,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,853 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $26,900 | $26,900 | $25,050 |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities | $18,900 | $18,900 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $18,500 | $18,500 | $25,025 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 13,233 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,509
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $84,648
- Median Student Debt
- $25,325