Drexel University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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Drexel University is a private nonprofit university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that admits about 70% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $38,509 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Accounting and Related Services and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 78% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Drexel University is a private institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Drexel University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 70%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1350 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,509 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Drexel University?
55% of enrolled students at Drexel University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.79, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Drexel University weight in admissions?
Drexel University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores Drexel University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 645. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1260 |
| 50th percentile | 1350 |
| 75th percentile | 1430 |
| % submitting SAT | 35% |
| 25th percentile | 28 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 4% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Required for some
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 31.78% |
| Top 25% of class | 63.18% |
| Top 50% of class | 88.95% |
| % submitting class rank | 26.5% |
How much does Drexel University actually cost?
Published tuition is $62,412 for in-state students and $62,412 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,096 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,509 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $38,509 |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Drexel University
| Regular deadline | 15-Jan |
| Notification date | 1-Apr |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 15 |
| ED acceptance rate | 78% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 15 |
Will my child graduate from Drexel University?
These predict outcomes at Drexel University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Drexel University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Drexel University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Accounting and Related Services and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. Across all programs, Drexel University confers roughly 1,934 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $95,080 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 581 | $95,080 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 299 | $90,655 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 206 | $96,560 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 184 | $99,010 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 169 | $67,219 |
| Computer Science | 168 | $116,867 |
| Biology, General | 167 | $74,257 |
| Marketing | 160 | $83,510 |
Is Drexel University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Drexel University disclosed 75 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 10 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Drexel University?
About 16% of undergraduates at Drexel University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 12% of men join a fraternity and 8% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Drexel University
Common questions parents ask about Drexel University
What GPA do I need for Drexel University?
55% of enrolled students at Drexel University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.79, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Drexel University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 645. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32.
How much does Drexel University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Drexel University after grants and scholarships is $38,509 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $62,412. Budget against the net figure.
Is Drexel University realistic for my child?
Drexel University admits 70% of applicants, so 620–740 SAT Math is target range and below 620 is a reach. Then check the $38,509 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Drexel University?
Drexel University accepts about 70% of applicants out of roughly 38,030 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Drexel University test-optional?
Yes. Drexel University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Drexel University?
About 78% of students at Drexel University graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Drexel University?
Drexel University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 78%, compared with its overall rate of 70%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Drexel University look for in applicants?
Drexel University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Drexel University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Drexel University is a private nonprofit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What are the most popular majors at Drexel University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Drexel University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Accounting and Related Services and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. The school awards about 1,934 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Drexel University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Drexel University reported 75 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Drexel University?
At Drexel University, 16% of undergraduates live on campus, 12% of men are in fraternities, 8% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Drexel University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers