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Drake University is recognized as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the Midwest. A midsized, private university in Des Moines, Iowa, we offer the benefits and resources of a larger institution along with the advantages of intimate class sizes and close personal relationships.
Mission & Inspiration
Our mission: Provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.
Our inspiration: Together we transform lives and strengthen communities.
Core Values
Our core values form the foundation of how faculty and staff perform our work, how we conduct ourselves and how we interact with each other. These values guide our interactions as colleagues in support of delivering on our mission promise. Through these values, we continue to build a stronger, more vibrant campus culture.
- Joyful Accountability
- Generosity of Spirit
- All In This Together
- Commitment to Mission
Drake at a Glance
History—Founded in 1881 and named for Civil War general Francis Marion Drake, the University boasts more than 140 years of proud history and many traditions.
Enrollment—More than 3,000 undergraduates and 1,900 graduate students from 45 states and more than 52 countries.
Faculty—301 full-time instructors and professors, 92 percent holding the highest degrees in their field, and are all focused strongly on their students’ success.
Rankings—Respected sources recognize Drake for:
- Educational quality (consistently named at the top by U.S.News and World Report)
- Student achievement in and out of the classroom (National Study on Student Engagement)
- Value for your dollar (Barron’s 300 Best Buys in College Education and Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges)
College and Schools—The University is comprised of seven major academic units.
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Education
- Zimpleman College of Business
- John Dee Bright College
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- School of Law
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Living in Des Moines
Des Moines is a diverse and vibrant capital city where many political and social organizations sponsor public activities.
Des Moines remains remarkably affordable and is enhanced by a growing cultural scene that features extensive theater, music, and art venues (not to mention the more than 100 free fine arts events Drake offers to the public each year).
Rankings—Respected sources recognize Des Moines for:
- Lauridsen Skatepark named #6 Best New Attraction (10best.com)
- Surety Hotel named the chicest place to stay in Iowa (housebeautiful.com)
- Des Moines named a best city for young professionals (policygenius.com)
- Des Moines named one of 50 US Cities Worth Exploring in 2022 (travelpulse.com)
- Des Moines named one of 2022's Most Neighborly Cities (neighbor.com)
Discover the cultural scene in Des Moines:
Housing in historic neighborhoods borders Drake’s campus. A short bike or bus ride to areas of downtown Des Moines (particularly the East Village, Court Avenue District, and Western Gateway) leads to affordable urban lofts near art studios, theaters, and community organizations. Suburban locations likeoffer a variety of housing options.
Explore the Des Moines metro:
Consider what the Drake Neighborhood has to offer. Drake builds connections to the diverse communities surrounding it through an urban youth learning garden, a legal clinic, and a variety of service-learning initiatives.
University News
November 16, 2023
November 1, 2023
