Drake University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~64%
- Middle 50% ACT: 28
- Middle 50% SAT: 1245
- Average GPA: 3.68
- Below the typical ranges: Drake is still very doable. Focus on a solid GPA and a well-rounded application — this can be a strong safety with meaningful merit potential.
- In the typical ranges: This is your sweet spot. You’re in line for strong automatic scholarships, so make sure you apply on time and present your academic profile clearly.
- Well above the ranges: Drake becomes a strong value play. You’ll likely hit the top merit tiers and could be invited to compete for full-tuition awards.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Drake University at a Glance
- The full-tuition National Alumni Scholarship is highly competitive and requires a separate application and interview — most students will not receive it.
- The Bulldog Promise (full tuition) is only available to Pell-eligible Iowa residents — out-of-state families should not expect this level of coverage.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Drake University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 28; SAT: 1245.
Average net price? About $30,886/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
University scholarship page: https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/
National Alumni & Carpenter Scholarships page: https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#nationalalumni
Fine Arts scholarships information: https://www.drake.edu/artdesign/scholarships/
Drake Legacy Award page: https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#legacy
Drake National Merit Scholarships page: https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#nationalmerit
Bulldog Promise program page: https://www.drake.edu/promise/
Public Democracy Scholars program page: https://www.drake.edu/publicdemocracy/
Crew Scholars program page: https://www.drake.edu/crew/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Drake University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $51,444 | $51,444 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $12,876 | $12,876 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $64,320 | $64,320 |
Average Federal Net Price: $30,886 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Cost & Aid FAQ
Who qualifies for lower tuition at Drake?
All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Iowa residents who are Pell-eligible may qualify for the Bulldog Promise, which covers full tuition.
How much can scholarships reduce the cost?
Automatic merit awards can reduce tuition by $21,000–$25,000 per year, and competitive awards (like the National Alumni Scholarship) can cover full tuition.
Do I have to apply separately for discounts?
Automatic merit comes with admission. Special programs like Bulldog Promise and National Alumni require additional steps or earlier deadlines—see scholarship sections below.
University COA Budgets: https://www.drake.edu/finaid/consumerinformation/costofattendancebudgets/
Drake Tuition Guarantee: https://www.drake.edu/admission/first-yearstudents/costsfinancialaid/draketuitionguarantee/
Student Accounts Tuition & Fees: https://www.drake.edu/accounts/tuitionfees/
IPEDS / NCES Profile: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/153269
BigFuture Cost Profile: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/drake-university/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $26,000–$34,000/yr | All admitted first-year students reviewed automatically; amount varies by academics (GPA/rigor, and test scores if submitted). Not available to Bright College, ABSN, or online programs. | No | Yes — full-time enrollment & satisfactory academic progress; some pathways (e.g., 3+3 Law) have special rules. | Top range: ~3.8+ UW GPA & high rigor; mid-high: ~3.5–3.8, superscore ACT/SAT optional. | Priority: December 1 (Early Action); Regular: March 1 |
| Legacy Award | $2,500/yr | Child/grandchild/great-grandchild of a Drake graduate; indicate legacy in admission application. Tuition-only. | No (via admission form) | Yes — up to 8 semesters with good standing | Families with a Drake alum connection; stacks with academic merit. | Priority: December 1; Regular: March 1 |
| National Merit Finalist (Drake-Sponsored) | $1,500/yr | National Merit Finalists who list Drake as first choice; not available if receiving a corporate-sponsored NM award. | No | Yes | Finalists; usually coordinates with Presidential award. | Priority: December 1; must indicate Drake as first choice by national deadline |
Note: Ranges reflect current cohorts and holistic review. Other awards (like full tuition programs) may replace—not stack with—Presidential Merit.
Related: National Merit Scholarship
Automatic Merit FAQ
Is a test score required for merit?
No. Drake is test-optional for admission and merit; superscoring available if tests are submitted.
How do I maximize my automatic scholarship?
Apply by Drake’s priority dates, take rigorous courses, and submit strong test scores if they help you. Your final award reflects GPA, rigor, and (if provided) superscored tests.
Can automatic merit stack with other awards?
Often yes (e.g., Legacy, talent/departmental). High-value competitive awards (full tuition) typically replace the Presidential Scholarship.
Do I need a separate application?
No for Presidential and National Merit; Legacy Award is captured through admission form. Some other awards—see competitive/talent sections—require additional steps.
*Estimated GPA/test bands provided as university does not publish a tier matrix. Official award letters supersede all estimates.
Drake University Scholarships — https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/
Drake Legacy Award — https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#legacy
Drake National Merit Scholarships — https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#nationalmerit
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships go beyond automatic merit. They require extra applications, interviews, or auditions and are awarded to a limited number of top students each year. Winning one of these can make a big difference—sometimes even covering full tuition.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Alumni Scholarship (NAS) | Full tuition | First-year admits; based on academics, leadership, service; must complete separate application and interview. | Yes — separate application and interview | Yes — maintain full-time status & good standing | ~3.9+ GPA, rigorous courses, leadership, strong service; high test scores (if submitted) and outstanding interview. | December 1 (application & scholarship) |
| George A. Carpenter Scholarship | $10,000/yr | First-year admits; awarded to top semi-finalists from the NAS pool. | Yes — same as NAS | Yes | High-achieving NAS candidates who excel in interview process. | December 1 (application & scholarship) |
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Why are these called competitive?
Unlike automatic merit, these scholarships have limited slots and require extra steps such as applications, essays, or interviews.
Are competitive awards stackable?
Generally no. The National Alumni Scholarship and Carpenter Scholarship replace the automatic Presidential Scholarship, not add to it.
When are applications due?
Applications open Nov 1. Complete both Drake’s admission and National Alumni/Carpenter Scholarship applications by December 1 of your senior year. Finalists interview in February; offers made by March.
What can families do to increase their student’s chances?
Encourage your student to highlight leadership, service, and rigor in their application. Practice for the interview—finalists are invited for live or virtual interviews in February.
National Alumni & Carpenter Scholarships — https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/#nationalalumni
Drake Scholarships Overview — https://www.drake.edu/financialaid/scholarships/firstyear/
🎖️ Honors College
Drake’s Honors Program is designed for curious students who enjoy reading, writing, and diving deeper into their courses. It’s not an extra year of college—it’s a flexible track that lets motivated students take smaller seminars, build close relationships with faculty, and complete a senior thesis project that stands out on grad school or job applications.
High school GPA in the 3.7–4.0 range*, strong writing and reading skills, leadership or service experience, and an eagerness to take on challenging coursework.
*GPA estimate based on Drake’s published Honors requirements and typical Honors cohorts; exact admission cutoffs are not publicly listed.
- Priority access to Honors Foundations courses if admitted by the March priority deadline
- Small, discussion-based seminars
- Dedicated faculty mentorship and a required senior thesis
- Honors designation on diploma and transcript
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John August Book Award | Covers cost of required Honors Program books | Incoming first-year or transfer students admitted to the Honors Program by the priority deadline | Yes — Honors Program application (includes three short-answer responses) | Yes — renewable each year with continued Honors Track participation | Students who apply on time, are accepted into Honors, and stay engaged with Honors coursework and requirements | March 6 (priority Honors deadline) |
- Honors students are also eligible for Drake’s other scholarships (Presidential, National Alumni, Carpenter, etc.), which are awarded based on academic merit and leadership. These can be combined with Honors participation.
Honors Program FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Honors Program, usually by the March priority deadline. Applications after that date are reviewed as space allows, but late admits miss out on certain benefits like the book award.
Does Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors courses fulfill general education requirements and the thesis integrates with your major, so it doesn’t extend graduation time.
Are there extra scholarships?
Yes, the John August Book Award provides book cost coverage for students admitted to Honors by the priority deadline.
What GPA is required to stay in Honors?
Students must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA at Drake and complete the required thesis to graduate with University Honors.
Drake Honors Application — https://www.drake.edu/honors/apply/
John August Book Award — https://www.drake.edu/honors/bookaward/
Drake Honors Program Overview — https://www.drake.edu/honors/
⭐ College Specialty
Drake University may be a smaller private school in Iowa, but it punches above its weight in a few areas. Families looking at health sciences, pharmacy, law, or journalism will find programs with strong reputations and direct career pipelines. Drake is not an R1 research university, but its professional schools and career-focused degrees carry weight nationally.
- Journalism & Mass Communication: Accredited by ACEJMC and ranked among the top journalism schools in the Midwest, with award-winning student publications and a 97% placement rate within six months of graduation.
- Business (Zimpleman College of Business): AACSB-accredited and well known statewide for actuarial science, accounting, and analytics programs that feed directly into Des Moines’ insurance and finance industries.
- Law (Drake University Law School): One of the oldest law schools west of the Mississippi, recognized for its legal writing program and strong regional placement, including Iowa’s judicial and government sectors.
- Education: The School of Education is respected regionally for preparing teachers and educational leaders, especially in STEM education and leadership pathways.