Campus Life
Welcome Home
When you let a Bulldog off the leash, there’s no telling what it will discover. At Drake University, there’s a lot more to your education than what happens in class. Here, you’ll have the space to lean into the passions that make you, you. Or to pursue new ones.
A close-knit community, NCAA D1 sports, hundreds of clubs and organizations, a capital city home to enough arts and culture to keep you busy for years, and support when you need it: it’s all waiting for you at Drake University.
Campus Life at a Glance
Our 150+ clubs and organizations are the foundation of life on campus outside the classroom. (Shop around—that’s far more than you’ll find for most colleges our size). Some are focused on academics, some on service, and some on nothing more than fun. All, though, are built around a learning-by-doing philosophy that’s core to the Drake experience.
K+
Volunteer, community service, and pro-bono hours logged by students, faculty, and staff annually.
Intramural sports to dive into.
%
Of Drake students are involved in Greek life.
Housing and Dining
Where you live and what you eat are choices as individual as you are. You can live in a double, triple, or suite. You can tuck into a chicken wrap at Hubbell Dining Hall or grab a quick latte at the Starbucks at Olmsted (you might spot Griff having a puppuccino). It’s all available, and it’s up to you.
Division of Student Affairs
Student Affairs supports the everyday experiences that shape campus life—promoting well‑being, accountability, leadership, and belonging. From student health and counseling services, Rec Services, Community Standards, Greek Life, Title IX, and more.
Begin With Passion. Pursue Every Path.
Whether you’re active in your residence hall, on campus, or in the community, the path you take at Drake will shape the person you become. Whether you find your competitive edge playing sports, perform onstage or toil behind the scenes on a student production, give back by reading to kids over lunch hour at a nearby elementary school, or build your leadership skills through student government, at Drake, you can focus on one thing, or try as many as you like.
Clubs and Organizations
Bulldogs don’t hang at the back of the pack—they’re alphas. Get involved with any of our 150+ clubs and organizations to sharpen your leadership skills while leaning into the things you love or finding new passions.
Leadership Development
Even born leaders need to hone their talents. At Drake, you can learn the art of motivation and direction and see where these concepts apply in student government, community service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and more groups dedicated to giving back.
Events and Activities
Bark along with Griff II while cheering on your Bulldogs at any of our games or matches, or fill your calendar with concerts, theater performances, art and photography exhibits, and lectures. You’ll find something to do almost every day of the academic year.
Global Engagement
While 30% of our students study abroad, you don’t need to head overseas to gain a global perspective. We’ll bring the world to you through lectures, forums, research symposiums, and other events designed to deepen your understanding of other cultures.
Centers and Institutes
Drake’s academic centers and institutes allow students to connect the concepts they learn in class to real-world events, applications, and results. This allows them to explore careers and access experiences that help them stand out from the crowd post-graduation.
Recreation Services
It’s easy to stay active at Drake, where you’ll have access to fitness centers, weight rooms, racquetball and tennis courts, a swimming pool, and other recreation facilities. Whether you take exercise classes such as water aerobics, Zumba, or yoga, participate in intramural or club sports, or work out on your own, you’ll have unlimited access.
Division I Athletics
Our 17 NCAA Div. I intercollegiate programs all compete right here on campus, in facilities like the 6,400-seat Knapp Center and 14,500-seat Drake Stadium. (And all games are free with your ID.)
Explore Des Moines
Food and music and art and long bike trails and big business and hot startups—that’s all Des Moines. Learn why Forbes named us the #2 city in the U.S. for Young Professionals.
How We Support You
Every Bulldog can use a helping hand at times. And we’re here for you, in every aspect of your life at Drake. Faculty are caring mentors you can count on for life. Our career services staff is ready to help you confront those big “What’s next?” questions. And the Drake University Student Health Center and the Student Counseling Center, offering 24/7 counseling access, are ready to support all your mental and physical health needs.
Take the Next Step
You won’t be here long before it becomes obvious: everything about Drake is built to help you feel at home. Open the door and step inside.
