Learn By Doing
Open to Discoveries
When you put classroom lessons to the test, you learn what it takes to thrive as a professional. And a person.
At Drake University, you’ll find the whole world is waiting for you to explore. Making sure you’re ready, we give you the tools and the knowledge to relate to the things you encounter, the confidence to make a difference, and the wisdom to ask: what more can I learn?
See Everything. Repeat.
Drake is more interested in teaching you how to think rather than what to know. You’ll learn in small classes led by faculty mentors who push you to leave your comfort zone, take chances, and discover what makes you tick.
The Drake Curriculum
Above all else, great thinkers are flexible. They approach problems from multiple angles to find a solution that fits. The Drake Curriculum is a wide-ranging course of study that builds a foundation for your education.
First Year Seminar
These small classes, built around topics from hip-hop to philosophy, make it clear: college is about asking big questions, partaking in deep discussions, and making real connections with the people around you.
Career Development
Career planning starts as soon as you arrive. We’ll help you chart a path forward, find internships to help you get there, and develop the kind of True Blue skills employers want.
Honors Program
Community, as much as reading- and writing-intensive classes, is the backbone of the Honors Program. Engage with cross-disciplinary concepts beyond the classroom, attend special lectures and events, and even provide input about future courses.
Let Possibilities Unfold
College is a major investment, both for time and money. And when you look at the numbers, Drake delivers. While you’re here, you’ll get the kind of hands-on experience that delivers life lessons you’ll have forever—and, just as important, opens job opportunities that make the hard work worthwhile.
%
Of undergraduates reported having an internship or practical experience in 2024.
in 3
Drake students study abroad.
Top %
Among colleges nationwide for lifetime return on investment.
Experiential and Applied Learning Opportunities
The things you learn in class are just a prelude to what’s next: carrying out research in our STEM@DRAKE center, spearheading a community project in Des Moines, or even exploring the world.
Global Engagement
Be curious. Pursue new ideas. Explore. In an era where empathy and understanding are more important than ever, those steps are the key to connecting and working across cultures.
Internships
Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city, is home to leading companies in industries from finance to publishing and insurance to healthcare. We’ll work together to find an internship that positions you for the future and aligns your studies with your career interests.
STEM Programs
Our STEM@DRAKE complex puts more than two dozen science-related disciplines in one place. You’ll work with state-of-the-art equipment while collaborating with faculty and fellow students.
Leadership Development
Leadership is a skill that needs to be learned. We’ll teach you what it takes to be a leader, through academic programs, service-learning projects, campus organizations, and more opportunities to refine your voice and vision.
Around Des Moines
Roughly 25,000 Drake alumni live and work in the Des Moines area. The trails, galleries, and other attractions are one draw. The other? All the future-transforming opportunities among the area’s Fortune 500 companies, startups, and other prominent organizations that recognize what Drake graduates deliver.
Explore Opportunities by School
In the tradition of a true liberal arts education, the Drake Curriculum gives you a sweeping overview of topics as varied as art, science, citizenship, and math. Ultimately, though, you’ll find an academic home and access to internships, research, and more applied opportunities in one of our seven colleges and schools.
Our Centers and Institutes
Bulldogs don’t just build knowledge. We act on it to make our community and the broader world a better place. For students, our centers and institutes are where principles and theories come to life through research, public discourse, or championing others’ rights.
Take the Next Step
The experiences you have at Drake will change you—so you can change the world. Contact us to learn more.
