Drexel University combines accessible admission with exceptional long-term outcomes, ranking in the 95th percentile for median earnings while maintaining manageable debt levels. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers strong post-graduation returns across technical, business, and health programs.
With excellent tier designation, reflecting strong earnings relative to educational investment
With below average performance, reflecting higher net costs relative to peer institutions
With above average performance, showing moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, indicating effective economic advancement for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisDrexel University generates substantial return on educational investment through strong earnings outcomes achieved with manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $84,648 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and representing $8,077 more annually than the peer median of $76,571.
Earnings span from $54,500 at the 25th percentile to $113,366 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's diverse program portfolio from engineering to health sciences. The university produces $18,348 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 93.4th percentile for value creation.
Students seeking strong technical and professional outcomes with manageable debt levels. Well-suited for students prioritizing engineering, computer science, business, or health programs who want exceptional earnings potential without the extreme selectivity of elite institutions.
Strong fit for career-focused students who value practical education with proven post-graduation returns.
Drexel University admits 77.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive admission offers. This acceptance rate falls within the Open Access category (above 75%), making Drexel significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 69.4% indicates that Drexel admits students at a rate 8.1 percentage points higher than similar institutions, reflecting a more inclusive approach to enrollment. This level of accessibility means that academically prepared students have strong prospects for admission, though meeting academic standards remains important.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Drexel University's published cost of attendance is $75,167 per year, including $60,663 in tuition, $17,550 for room and board, and $1,700 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $38,428 annually.
This represents $36,739 in average financial aid savings, reducing costs by nearly half for typical families. The net price of $38,428 exceeds the peer median of $33,531 by $4,897, indicating that Drexel costs more than comparable institutions even after financial aid.
This higher cost reflects the institution's urban Philadelphia location, extensive co-op programs, and specialized facilities for technical and professional programs. Families should expect meaningful variation in actual costs based on income levels, with net prices ranging from $27,737 for the lowest-income families to $47,490 for those with incomes above $110,000.
The substantial gap between sticker price and net price means that families should not be deterred by the published cost alone, as most students receive significant financial aid that makes attendance more affordable than initial figures suggest. Financial aid targeting helps lower-income families access the institution's strong career outcomes, though costs remain above peer levels across all income categories.
Computer Science.
140 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
103 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
47 graduates
Computer Support Specialist.
34 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
83 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#194 ranked) | MA | 11% | $83,238 | #194 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Drexel University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/drexel-university/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for return on investment
Drexel University ranks #185 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with return performance at the 96.9th percentile—its strongest pillar among the four institutional measures. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private nonprofit university maintains accessible admission standards with a 77.5% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Drexel enrolls 25.2% Pell-eligible students and 29.2% first-generation students, positioning it above average on access measures. Graduates earn $18,348 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 93.4th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $84,648 ten years after enrollment, placing Drexel in the 95th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of accessible admissions, controlled selectivity, and exceptional economic outcomes places Drexel University within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong outcomes while serving fewer low-income students than typical mobility-focused schools.
Students should view Drexel as a realistic option if their academic credentials align with the institution's profile, while understanding that admission is not automatic despite the relatively high acceptance rate. The combination of accessible admission with strong outcomes makes Drexel attractive for students seeking practical education pathways.
For comprehensive college list building, students should include institutions with varying selectivity levels, using Drexel's 77.5% rate as a benchmark for schools with similar accessibility. This admission rate supports Drexel's mission of providing career-focused education to a broad range of students while maintaining academic quality standards.
Drexel University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth and strong long-term outcomes across multiple cohorts. Median earnings rise from $69,063 six years after enrollment to $79,235 at eight years and $84,648 at ten years, representing 22.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts—4,059 graduates in the six-year data, 4,467 in the eight-year cohort, and 4,403 in the ten-year analysis—providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $18,348 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Drexel in the 93.4th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates achieve particularly strong outcomes, earning $94,200 and ranking in the top 5% nationally for this measure. Earnings distribution shows meaningful opportunity across income levels, spanning from $54,500 at the 25th percentile to $113,366 at the 75th percentile.
Approximately 29.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Drexel University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive ranking analysis. Computer Science ranks #114 nationally and #4 in Pennsylvania, producing 140 graduates with median earnings of $104,182 and a value score of 38.3.
Computer Engineering ranks #49 nationally and #3 in Pennsylvania, graduating 103 students with median earnings of $99,180. Adult Health Nursing represents the institution's largest program, graduating 485 students annually with median earnings of $84,218 and ranking #117 nationally.
Commercial Photography ranks #10 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, demonstrating Drexel's strength in creative fields with 185 graduates earning $62,097. Actuarial Science ranks #18 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, graduating 135 students with median earnings of $86,702.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering ranks #20 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, with 102 graduates earning $88,294, reflecting the institution's technical program strength across multiple engineering disciplines.
Boston College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#172 ranked) | MA | 16% | $103,937 | #172 | Compare |
Georgetown University Similar quality tier (#165 ranked) | DC | 13% | $103,494 | #165 | Compare |
New York University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#161 ranked) | NY | 9% | $82,509 | #161 | Compare |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Similar quality tier (#227 ranked) | FL | 62% | $84,131 | #227 | Compare |
