Drake University

Des Moines

According to the school, Drake University is committed to providing an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. With over 3,400 undergraduate students and a total student body of more than 5,500 Drake offers its students many of the benefits of large state universities with the intimacy and personalization of a private institution. First and foremost, Drake University offers a quality academic experience. This is evidenced by the fact that the University is regularly rated as top in the Midwest academically. Three Drake students are among the 2006 undergraduate Fulbright scholars. In the past few years several faculty have also received Fulbright awards to teach overseas. Drakes size allows Faculty and staff to foster close relationships with students that help them meet educational, professional and personal goals. Professors know students by name and become partners in their success, both in and out of the classroom. Drakes diverse student body comes from all states and many countries. Drake graduates currently reside in all 50 states and 61 countries around the world. Undergraduate students choose from more than 70 programs of study, can design a personal academic plan, combine majors or create their own major. Along with the undergraduate programs Drake University offers programs in Law, Pharmacy Doctoral study, and many graduate programs. Located in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, the University is uniquely positioned to provide learning opportunities through partnerships with the city’s bounty of businesses, schools, government and cultural activity. Drake students get real-world experience through professional internships that prepare them for lifelong success, with more than 60 percent of Drake students graduating having had at least one internship. Students acquire valuable leadership skills from area business, government, civic and community leaders. Nearly all Drake graduates (99 percent in 2007) find career employment or enter graduate school within six months after receiving their degrees. Named a College That Rocks by Rolling Stone magazine, Drake University offers a wide range of activities that complement academics and enhance the campus social experience. Drake offers almost 200 student, honor, religious, ethnic/racial and social organizations with focuses ranging from Japanese animation to Greek life and has more than 25 intramural and club sports that are open to all students. Each year many students volunteer their time in local schools, building with Habitat for Humanity or spending spring break building homes and schools for the impoverished in El Salvador. Bulldog athletic teams compete at Division I as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Pioneer Football League. The University also hosts the Drake Relays, a storied track meet with competitors ranging from elementary school to top professionals. Drake is committed to making sure that the students investments provide high returns throughout their lives. Approximately 98 percent of Drake students receive financial aid. The actual cost of a Drake education is competitive with public universities for many of our students. In fact, most students who plan properly complete their degrees in just four years and begin working in their chosen profession after graduation. Drake alumni go on to discover comets, win Pulitzer Prizes, make Hollywood blockbusters, found and operate Fortune 500 companies and make the world a better place in ways large and small.