General FAQ | Admission FAQ | Tuition FAQ
At Drake University, our goal is to ensure that our students have everything they need to succeed and make the most of their experience. If you are considering a Drake online program and have questions that are not answered by the resources provided below, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can email us directly at drakeonline@drake.edu. Additionally, you can call the general Drake phone line at 1-800-44-DRAKE.
Drake University is located at 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311. You can find out more information about Drake the Des Moines area here.
It is not. The diploma is the same for all graduates, whether their program was completed online or at our campus location.
You can learn about Drake University’s accreditations here.
We sure do! Learn more about Griff II over on his website.
Although work experience is not accepted as course credit, students may apply transfer credits from prior coursework toward their program of interest. Be sure to talk with an admissions advisor about whether you can transfer credits toward your program and, if so, how to move forward.
For graduate programs, we accept transfer credits for coursework with appropriate accreditation that students completed within the last five years. This option helps reduce your total tuition and the time you spend earning the degree. To learn more, review the details of the program you want to enroll in.
Our enrollment team is available to answer any questions you may have specific to admissions. Email us at drakeonline@drake.edu for assistance.
You can easily start your online application now.
You are not required to have all documents ready when you start your application. You will be able to easily save and exit the application at any time. However, to be considered for admission, you will need to have all items submitted.
When applying, there is an option to submit unofficial transcripts. This means you can upload a copy of your transcript to move forward with your application and get it submitted in a timely fashion. However, to be fully admitted, you must provide the official transcripts. This means that the transcript comes from the college or university in question directly to Drake Online, instead of you as the applicant. Your institution should have directions on how to complete this. If you have any questions, please email drakeonline@drake.edu.
Yes, we have some additional policies for international students.
If a student earned her/his undergraduate degree outside of the United States, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required. Scores dated within the last two years are acceptable and must be reported directly from the testing agency. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 213 on the computer-based exam, 550 on the paper-based exam, or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. Minimum scores on each section of reading, writing, speaking and listening may be required. Duolingo test also accepted (minimum score of 110).
International applicants will have an application fee of $100.
Some countries are ineligible for online education. Please reference our Sanctioned Countries page for more information.
If you have issues with our online application system, email us at drakeonline@drake.edu.
Obtaining transcripts, securing letters of recommendation, writing personal statements and the like have variable lengths of time associated with them, so you should start them as soon as possible. Once your application file is complete, it typically takes 3–5 days to review and answer whether you’ve been accepted to the program.
Our programs follow an accelerated schedule that allow you to start at almost any point in the year that works for you, meaning you don't have to wait to get started. You can find the general calendar of start dates, application deadlines, and registration deadlines below. Please note that the exception is our Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology which only has a fall start date.
| Semester | Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Term 2 | 03/23/26 | 03/16/26 | 03/19/26 |
| Summer Term 1 | 05/18/26 | 05/11/26 | 05/14/26 |
| Summer Term 2 | 07/06/26 | 06/29/26 | 07/02/26 |
| Fall Term 1 | 08/24/26 | 08/17/26 | 08/20/26 |
| Fall Term 2 | 10/19/26 | 10/12/26 | 10/15/26 |
| Spring Term 1 | 01/25/27 | 01/18/27 | 01/21/27 |
| Spring Term 2 | 03/22/27 | 03/15/27 | 03/18/27 |
Tuition and fees can be found here.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify and we encourage you to learn more about completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Drake also participates in various federal and state programs offering educational benefits for military service. For more information, visit Drake’s Veterans’ Affairs webpage.
Additional payment options including payment plans, tuition waivers for Drake employees, and employer deferment can be found by visiting the payment options webpage.
Drake University’s experienced financial aid staff will help you identify the financial options available to you to help make investing in your future possible and can be reached at financialaid@drake.edu or 1-800-44-DRAKE (Option 3).
