2024-2025 Tuition & Costs
Drake offers generous scholarships and grants that significantly reduce cost, making its outstanding education accessible to a broad spectrum of students.
Drake is committed to working with you to identify maximum aid opportunities, and we’re proven to provide a lifetime return on investment that ranks among the top 3% in the nation.
Is the cost of a Drake education worth it?
Drake is consistently recognized as a top-ranking school for lifetime return on investment and median salaries, meaning the salaries secured by our graduates are higher in comparison to the cost of attending than 97% of schools in the nation.
#1
Drake ranks #1 in Iowa for median salary ($71,901) 10 years after a student’s enrollment, according to the U.S. Dept of Education.
Top 3%
Drake ranks in the top 3% nationally for lifetime return on investment, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
$1.5M
$1.5M is the lifetime return on investment of a Drake education, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Why is Drake ranked so high for ROI? A few reasons:
- Drake students have a 97.3% accomplishment rate. This is the percentage of graduates who are employed, in grad school, or pursuing professional goals within six months, as reported for the undergraduate class of 2023. Compare this to the national average of 85.5%.
- 92.7% of Drake undergrads reported having an internship while in school. Compare this to national averages. According to NACE, roughly 60% of students nationwide had internships in 2023. In addition, paid interns are twice as likely to land a job after college compared to non-interns.
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How much is tuition at Drake University?
When looking at tuition costs, it’s important to distinguish between gross tuition (the “sticker price”) and net tuition (how much you’ll actually pay). Let’s dive in.
$51,444
$51,444 is Drake's gross annual tuition for full-time undergraduates before factoring in available scholarships and grants. All students receive aid to lower gross costs.
— 55-66%
100% of undergraduates receive a Presidential Scholarship that covers 51-66% of tuition cost. No scholarship application needed. It's automatically applied.
= $17-25k
Drake’s net tuition cost after the Presidential Scholarship ranges from $17,490-$25,208. But this is just the starting point. There are many ways to further lower net cost.
Are there additional ways to save on tuition?
Absolutely. The guaranteed Presidential Scholarship is just the start. There are so many additional scholarship opportunities available from Drake and outside sources. Couple that with federal and state grant opportunities available after FAFSA form completion and your net tuition only further decreases. Additionally, John Dee Bright College at Drake offers an affordable two-year pathway into a four-year Drake education.
Will Drake raise my tuition?
No. With Drake’s tuition guarantee, your gross tuition will not be raised over the course of four years once you’re enrolled. Compare this to many peer institutions that raise tuition each year, while the value of your academic scholarships remain the same.
How can I get a personalized estimate of costs?
Each student’s and family’s situation is different, and we're committed to finding the maximum available aid for you. If you have already been admitted as a future student at Drake, we suggest you reach out to our financial aid office. If you haven’t yet been admitted, try out our net price calculator or connect with our admission team to find a counselor.
What about room, board, and fees?
If you choose to take advantage of our on-campus housing and meal plans, here is an example of 2024-25 costs. View all our options here.
Room (double occupancy): $6,794*
Board (base plan): $5,658*
Optional Course Ready Program: $510**
Holistic wellness fee: $300
Student activity fee: $216
New student fee: $170
*Please note that the cost of room and board is not fixed and may fluctuate. The 2025-2026 Room, Board & Fees will be announced February 2025. “Total" reflected above was calculated as an estimate based on the current 2024-2025 Room, Board & Fees and 2025-2026 Tuition Guarantee rates.
**The new Course Ready Program will cover all required course materials for the academic year. This includes items such as physical books, digital materials, online access codes, lab supplies, art supplies, calculator, etc. Learn more about the Course Ready Program here.
View more information about our Drake University Cost of Attendance Budgets or view our overview of gross tuition costs.
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Drake is a place where you’ll grow as a person, make life-long friendships, live in the center of a vibrant metro area, and graduate with skills that can put you on the leading edge of your chosen field.
It all starts with your college application!
