Drake University's published cost of attendance is $64,835. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,824, middle-income families pay around $25,171, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,126.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $64,835 |
| Tuition and Fees | $52,130 |
| Room and Board | $12,452 |
| Books and Supplies | $510 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$35,708 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,127 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $25,824 |
| $30–48k | $23,275 |
| $48–75k | $25,171 |
| $75–110k | $27,408 |
| $110k+ | $33,126 |
Drake University's published cost of attendance is $64,835. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,824, middle-income families pay around $25,171, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,126. Azimuth ranks Drake University #1110 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Drake University uses the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students, which can further reduce the net price below the need-based figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $65,232, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Drake University earn median 4-year earnings of $65,232, placing Drake University in the 70.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,431 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Drake University in the 31.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Drake University #533 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Drake University's concentration in business and professional fields. Digital Marketing is the largest program with 60 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $71,246, delivering 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 48 students with median 4-year earnings of $47,706, while Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods round out the top programs with 47 and 41 graduates respectively. These programs anchor Drake University's consistent long-term financial outcomes for students pursuing careers in accounting, finance, management, and related professional disciplines.
