Drake University
Des Moines, IA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$30,321
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$21,383
$30k - $48k
$23,186
$48k - $75k
$23,925
$75k - $110k
$27,107
$110k+
$30,806
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$47,742
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$47,742
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,570
Books and Supplies
$1,100
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
79%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$27,511
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,558
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$25,502
Students receiving state aid
14%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5,828
Students receiving federal aid
22%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,558
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$32,334
$30k - $48k
$32,311
$48k - $75k
$31,555
$75k - $110k
$27,218
$110k+
$24,525
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$44,933,444
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$31,269,444

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
53%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,142
Students receiving federal loans
52%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,226
Average Other Loans Per Year
$17,290
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,495
Loan Default Rate
2%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$223

What Students Are Saying

Drake may be a bit expensive, but I think it's worth it. Plus, they offer students a lot of help financially and will take special cases into consideration for aid.
Kristin from Lockport, IL
Drake is definitely on the more expensive side, but as a private institution, it's well worth the money. The on campus residence halls are all recently renovated and the dining halls just got a major makeover as well. The majority of professors have an open door policy with office hours, and a lot list their cell and home phone numbers in their syllabus. Since Drake is a smaller school it is really easy to get involved which makes it easier to obtain leadership positions and build a resume. All of this, in combination with Drake's generous academic and need-based scholarship policy, makes the Drake experience more than worth the money.
Lauren from Chicago, IL
Although Drake University's tuition is very high, (almost $40,000/year) they offer great scholarships to each student. When I was comparing colleges my senior year, it was going to cost about the same for me to attend a state school or Drake University. I obviously chose Drake University for the small atmosphere that the campus offers. Without a doubt, I made the right decision.
Bethany from Centerville, IA
I feel like everyone who works at Drake is trying their best to achieve personal satisfaction from each student.
Tara from Minneapolis, MN
Drake is a little pricey, but I think it is worth the price. They give out lots of financial aid and scholarships to help compensate it.
Ashley from Des Moines, IA
This school is well respected. When looking for a job, people will see that you went to a small private college that is not known to be easy. It has an academic rigor competitive to many other private schools. The cost is lower than others and there are scholarships for academics.
Drake Student17
This school is definitely a bang for the buck. It is cheaper than most Universities including some state schools. Also the academics outweigh the price of tuition because you are paying for your future.
Crysta from Florissant, MO
as your mother always told you, you get what you pay for. this time it's in a good way though. drake is a private school, which means its expensive, which means that they actually want you to stay. the professors put extra effort into making sure you succeed and do well in their classes.
Virginia from Des Moines, IA
Drake is an outstanding university and a great place to achieve your degree, however the tuition is constantly increasing because of the few students who attend Drake since it is a private university.
Arianna from Honolulu, HI
Yes, it is expensive. But their job placement rate is higher than any school in the area. The education is worth it.
Shelby from Waukon, IA