Drake University Continues Its Reign as Iowa’s Premier Private Institution
In an impressive demonstration of academic excellence, Drake University has been recognized once again as the leading private school in Iowa by The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 College Pulse Rankings. Not only did Drake secure the top spot among Iowa’s private schools for the third consecutive year, but it also ranked second among all institutions in the state and made it into the top 200 universities in the United States out of more than 580 ranked schools.
This achievement follows closely on the heels of Drake’s recent accolade as a top 100 private school nationwide, as reported by the U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings. The Wall Street Journal’s evaluation highlights the significant financial return on investment that a degree from Drake offers.
Financial and Educational Value of a Drake Degree
The rankings provide a detailed analysis of the value Drake University offers its students:
- Drake is the top-ranking institution in Iowa for “Best Salaries.” It boasts the highest Salary Impact Score, which measures graduates’ earnings in relation to the cost of their education.
- The university also leads in Iowa for Value Added to Graduate Salary, with a remarkable score of $48,308, indicating the additional earnings attributable to attending Drake.
- With an average net price that can be paid off in just over two years, Drake’s affordability adds to its appeal.
- Drake stands second in the state for Social Mobility, a measure of how well the university supports students from lower-income families, while maintaining high graduation rates and keeping costs manageable.
Drake University President Marty Martin remarked on the university’s continued success, stating, “The value of a Drake degree has never been greater. Our mission is to prepare students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. These rankings reflect that promise and are a testament to our work to make a world-class education even more accessible.”
Exceptional Student Outcomes
The rankings underscore a strong return on investment, supported by data demonstrating Drake’s student outcomes:
- Drake graduates boast a 95.2 percent accomplishment rate, with the majority employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, significantly higher than the national average of 84.7 percent.
- Moreover, 90.1 percent of Drake students reported having participated in internships or practical experiences, compared to a national average of 60 percent. This experiential learning is crucial, as paid interns are twice as likely to secure employment post-graduation.
Further details about Drake’s outstanding student outcomes can be found in the Measure of Success report. Interested students can apply for the Fall 2026 semester by visiting drake.edu/admission.
About the WSJ/College Pulse Rankings
The WSJ/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. list evaluates the top 500 undergraduate institutions based on the value they provide to students. This assessment includes factors like learning environment, net price payoff time, degree completion rates, potential salary increases post-graduation, and diversity. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau, alongside a nationwide survey of around 110,000 undergraduates and recent graduates conducted by College Pulse, The Wall Street Journal, and Statista.
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