Forget lectures, exams, and problem sets. Bright College uses active, innovative, meaningful activities to foster skills and habits of mind essential to career success and lifelong achievement. Students participate in interdisciplinary projects, creative problem-solving, community engagement, and real-world experience in a richly supportive, cohort-based environment. 

Bright College is designed with innovators, trailblazers, and creative thinkers in mind—learners who want opportunities to dig deep into big issues, navigate their own way through complex questions, and bring unique perspectives to problem-solving. Our students are inquisitive, ambitious, and self-motivated. They are willing to take intellectual risks and are eager to connect authentically with their classmates. 

We’re looking for evidence that you are dedicated, hard-working, intellectually curious, and ready to tackle the challenges of college-level learning. But we also believe you are more than just the sum of your GPA and test scores. 

Does your high school transcript show that you challenged yourself in your course selection? Did you stick with clubs, activities, and learning opportunities throughout your high school years, or just a few semesters? Do your brief personal statements in your application reveal an inquisitive, reflective, and driven mindset? Do your references affirm that you are ready and have what it takes to succeed at Drake? 

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then you’re likely a strong candidate for admission to Bright College. These attributes are more important to us than GPA and class rank—even SAT or ACT scores, which we don’t require for admission. If you’re determined and willing to work hard, you belong at Bright College. 

You will have the support of professors who will serve not just as teachers, but as mentors, guides, and coaches. They’ll get to know you for who you are and help you to become who you want to be. In addition, dedicated staff in our tutoring centers and Career Services team will guide you toward professional preparation and ongoing educational opportunities. 

At Bright College, you’ll be fully immersed in the Drake campus community. Attend athletic events, fine arts performances, participate in intramurals, access our wellness facilities, utilize Cowles library and study spaces around campus, and join any of our over 170 student clubs and organizations. 

It’s all here for you.

Bright College offers two associate degree options: Business, Organization, and Professional Studies or Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to launch a rewarding career with the experience and connections to make it happen. At Bright College, you’ll also build a record of academic success that prepares you for a bachelor’s degree program at Drake or elsewhere. 

Yes! Students who successfully complete their associate degree through Bright College are guaranteed admission as bachelor’s degree students at Drake University. In addition, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and donors, we are able to offer robust financial aid awards that will make completing a bachelor’s degree at Drake an affordable option for Bright College graduates. 

What’s more, dozens of bachelor’s degrees at Drake can be completed in as little as two years after earning your associate degree. 

Year 1 (Fall & Spring): $18,480 

Year 2: (Summer, Fall & Spring) $20,340 

 The sticker price for Bright College is less than half the cost of tuition at many other private colleges nationwide. For Iowa residents, the generous support of enthusiastic donors combined with state and federal grants means Bright College graduates will take on little or no tuition debt. While every family’s situation is different, our team is here to help you get the financial support you need to put attending Bright College within reach. 

Learn more about Bright College tuition and costs. 

*Tuition numbers based on students entering in the 2025—2026 academic year. 

Drake University is proud to offer 100% tuition coverage for Bright College Iowa residents who qualify for the federal Pell Grant. 

For students who do not qualify, on average, 90% of first-year tuition was covered for the 2023–2024 entering students. This brings your average net tuition and fees cost at Bright College for the first year down to $3,177, and only $226 for the second year. 

As a student on Drake’s campus, you’ll pay a modest student activity and holistic wellness fee. In addition to this, Bright College students are responsible for providing their own laptop that meets Drake’s minimum technology requirements. If you opt not to use Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) buses—free for all Bright College and Drake University students—you will also need to cover the cost of parking and transportation. 

Bright College students are not required to live on campus or purchase a meal plan. However, Bright College students can choose from Drake’s available room and board options. If you wish to use campus dining with meal swipes, you can select from one of our several meal plan options or pay as you go.  

The Bright College application is free to apply directly through Drake’s website. We know numbers don’t define you, so the application will ask you to share more about yourself by responding to two short-answer questions and requesting references from two of the following: teachers, coaches, or mentors. 

Bright College accepts uses rolling admission, meaning there is no formal deadline to apply for admission. However, all students who wish to receive financial aid must file their FAFSA by June 1 of the summer leading into their starting semester, using Drake’s code 001860. This includes students who are or may be eligible for the federal Pell Grant.  

Students also must attend orientation in early August of their entry semester, and be prepared to start classes in the last week of August.