Bright College
Do College Differently
You have incredible potential. It’s time to tap into it.
At Bright College, you’ll find a life-changing two-year degree program that’s radically different from college as usual. You’ll access hands-on, collaborative learning that will help you identify a career direction while you gain the skills you need to pursue it.
You’ll also progress at a sustainable pace, where you can balance your studies with your other commitments. Instead of feeling like you’re on your own, our supportive, close-knit community champions your success, encouraging you to go as far as you can.
And you’ll graduate with little to no debt, ready for the workplace or one of Drake’s bachelor’s degree programs.
Your Moment Starts Here
Unlock your potential for more. An associate degree positions you for a new level of opportunity and fulfills the general education requirements for Drake’s bachelor’s degree programs.
Earn an Associate of Arts
Choose from one of two degree options — Business, Organization, and Professional Studies or Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities — that give you job-ready skills to launch your career and the academic tools to thrive as you continue your education.
Transfer Into a Bachelor’s Program
Leverage your strong foundation from Bright College to specialize your education and career prospects in a range of in-demand areas, such as advertising, AI, and health sciences. Students who successfully complete their Associate of Arts degree are guaranteed admission into Drake’s programs.
About Bright College
Get a taste of different—where curious, driven peers engage in dynamic discussions, you’re encouraged to embrace your interests, and you have an affordable pathway to a four-year degree from a leading private university.
%
Of 2023 Bright College graduates were continuing their education within six months of graduation.
%
Of tuition covered for Iowa residents who complete the FAFSA® and qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.
%
The average amount of tuition covered by scholarships and grants for new students at Bright.
Experiential Learning
Move away from traditional lectures and exams and dive into hands-on exploration, building job-oriented skills and knowledge through collaborative projects, community engagement, and real-world experience.
The Bright College Experience
Forget what you think you know about college. From applying for admission to the classroom environment to the doors you’ll find open when you graduate, this is what makes Bright College different.
Applying to Bright College
Applying to Bright College is straightforward. Just complete the online application, submit one recommendation, and send your transcripts. No application fee and no test scores required.
Tuition and Costs
We work with students to make an education at Bright College as affordable as possible, and tuition will not increase for the second year. Most pay only a fraction of overall costs after financial aid is applied.
Cohort Learning
Here, you’re part of a team. You’ll advance through the program with the same group of students, taking on challenges that push you to solve problems collaboratively in a supportive, diverse environment.
High-Impact Experiences
You’ll gain foundational knowledge in core subject areas, like the humanities, STEM, and the arts, and apply that knowledge in career-relevant ways that extend your learning and expand your point of view.
Mentorship and Career Development
Personalized support is central to your time at Bright College. Faculty mentors and career advisors help you clarify your career goals and take the right steps forward to achieve them.
Live on Campus
As a Bright College student, you have the option to live on Drake’s campus and be fully immersed in all it means to be a Bulldog. Meal plans are also available, so you can simplify your life and focus on your studies.
Guaranteed Admission
All Bright College graduates are guaranteed admission to Drake, where you can build upon the credits you’ve earned to continue your studies in over 150 programs, letting you focus wherever your passion leads.
Meet Our Faculty
You’ll enter the classroom with incredible faculty ready to help you excel. They make content practical and accessible, so you can connect concepts with real-world outcomes.
Student Perspectives
“This is a space where all voices are valued. Every opinion counts. We are learning and growing together.” —Abena Sankofa Imhotep, JB’23
“You will leave this classroom feeling enlightened and educated.” —Kat Fortin, JB’23
“Bright has given me so much flexibility.” —Darcy Lentz, JB’23
News and Events
Take the Next Step
It’s your move. If you’re ready to unleash your potential, request more information, come see Bright College for yourself, or apply today.
Contact
Grace Wenzel (she, her, hers)
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission and Bright College Recruitment
Office of Admission
Phone: 515-271-2091
Email: grace.wenzel@drake.edu
