Drexel University
Overview
Drexel University is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,138, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 96 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Drexel University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 96. Its tuition and fees are $51,030 (2016-17).
Students at Drexel University can get a mix of in-class education and extensive on-the-job experience before graduation. Drexel operates a cooperative education program, sending students to more than 1,600 employers worldwide for six months at a time. Most co-ops are paid, and the average salary a Drexel student will take home is more than $16,000. Students who complete three co-ops generally graduate in five years. Students who participate in a single co-op experience or no co-op experience can graduate in four years.
When students aren’t working, there is plenty to do on the school’s main campus in Philadelphia’s University City. They have more than 300 student clubs and organizations to get involved in, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. The Drexel Dragons compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association. The neighborhood is also home to the University of Pennsylvania and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. The city's central hub of public transportation, 30th Street Station, is two blocks from campus, and Center City Philadelphia is a 10-minute walk away. In total, more than 70 percent of Drexel students commute to school.
Drexel offers well-regarded programs through the College of Engineering, and it has a medical school and a law school. Notable alumni of Drexel University include Michael Anderson, a former professional basketball player, and Earle I. Mack, a former ambassador to Finland.
General Information
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Private, Coed school type
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1891 year founded
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N/A religious affiliation
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Quarter academic calendar
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Urban setting
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$668.4 million 2015 endowment
School Mission and Unique Qualities
Content is provided by the school.
Drexel University holds a unique place in the academic community as Philadelphia's technological, cooperative education university. The first university to mandate students to own computers and the first to operate a fully wireless campus, technology is integrated into every aspect of the University. Drexel focuses on experiential learning through its cooperative education program, one of the nation's largest and oldest. The University's service-learning initiative, the country's largest campus-based program of its kind, complements cooperative education by allowing students to utilize the resources of Philadelphia as a "living laboratory". Drexel's thriving multidisciplinary research enterprise has erased boundaries between academic specialties. As a comprehensive university, Drexel includes the nation's largest private medical school and newest law school. Drexel's thriving multidisciplinary research enterprise has erased boundaries between academic specialties.
2017 Rankings
Drexel University is ranked #96 in National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
#96
(tie) in National Universities
#62
(tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
#65
in Best Value Schools
See all scores and key indicators.
Read more about how we rank schools.
Undergraduate Information
Applying
When applying to Drexel University, it's important to note the application deadline is Jan. 15, and the early action deadline and the early decision deadline are Nov. 1 and Nov. 1, respectively. The application fee at Drexel University is $50. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due Jan. 15. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 75 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
Selectivity More selective
Fall 2015 acceptance rate 75%
Application deadline Jan. 15
SAT/ACT scores must be received by Jan. 15
Students Also Applied to
Academic Life
Drexel University has 57.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Drexel University include: Information not available. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85 percent.
Student Life
Drexel University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,138, with a gender distribution of 51 percent male students and 49 percent female students. Drexel University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
Student gender distribution
Male
51%
Female
49%
Total enrollment 23,269
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I
Cost & Financial Aid
At Drexel University, 60% percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $24,565.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.
Financial aid statistics
Tuition and fees $51,030 (2016-17)
Room and board $14,367 (2016-17)
Campus Safety
Campus safety data were reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and have not been independently verified. The numbers for criminal offenses reflect reports of alleged offenses to campus security and/or law enforcement authorities, not necessarily prosecutions or convictions. Experts advise prospective students and their families to do their own research to evaluate the safety of a campus as well as the surrounding area.
Campus Services
Drexel University offers a number of student services, including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, health insurance. Drexel University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Drexel University.
U.S. News College Compass
See expanded profiles of nearly 1,800 schools. Unlock entering class stats including SAT scores and GPAs. Save schools, compare and take notes.
Undergraduate data are based on the 2015 school year.
[4] Previous year's data was used in the ranking calculation.
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