Des Moines, IA · Private University
Is Drake University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,901
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$49,944
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,944
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$199,776
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.44x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
77.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$30,042
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Drake University graduates earn $26,901 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Drake University ranked by graduate earnings
49 graduates
36 graduates
30 graduates
20 graduates
24 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Drake University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Drake University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods: $102,111) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $26,018) is $76,093/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBest ROI | $102,111 | 2.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $81,311 | 1.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $77,918 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $75,593 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,716 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $70,052 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $63,077 | 1.3x |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $58,783 | 1.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $58,012 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $48,432 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,094 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $26,018 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Drake University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $71,901 10 years after starting — $26,901 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.4 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.