The Bright College Promise

The Bright College Promise is founded on four key commitments:

Innovation & Creativity 

Imagine a learning laboratory, innovation studio, and skills incubator all in one? That’s Bright College.

Community & Collaboration 

You will thrive on the energy, enthusiasm, and drive of your classmates. Together, you will form lifelong connections thanks to hundreds of opportunities for involvement in campus and community life.

Wrap-Around Support 

Faculty and staff will not only serve as teachers, but also as mentors, guides, and coaches. They will support you in becoming who you want to be in the classroom, your profession, and your life.

Value & Affordability 

You’ll graduate from Bright College with little to no tuition debt and promising pathways to careers and lifelong learning. Bright College graduates are also guaranteed admission to Drake as bachelor’s-degree students with robust financial support.

Our Programs

The John Dee Bright College at Drake University seeks creative, driven, passionate individuals who want to kick-start their education and do school differently.

Offering a radically new alternative to traditional higher education, Bright College provides an innovative way for high school graduates in Central Iowa to continue their education and accelerate their professional and personal achievement by earning one of two associate degrees: 

Associate of Arts degree in Business, Organization, and Professional Studies (BOPS)
Full-time, 2 years
60 credit hours

Associate of Arts degree in Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities (IASH) 
Full-time, 2 years
60 credit hours

Graduates from Bright College will be prepared to enter the professional workforce as creative thinkers and leaders or to continue their education by completing four-year degrees—or both.