Drake University Welcomes 815 New Students from 37 States and 15 Countries

Drake University is experiencing a notable influx of new students this fall, with 815 newcomers joining the Des Moines campus. These students, hailing from 37 states and 15 countries, are contributing to a total domestic enrollment figure of 4,115, which includes 2,472 undergraduates and 1,643 graduate and professional students.

Domestic Enrollment Highlights

• The university has welcomed 673 entering first-year (EFR) bachelor students, marking the highest intake since 2022.
• Nineteen graduates from John Dee Bright College have transitioned to Drake to pursue bachelor’s degrees, representing a 171.4% increase from Fall 2025.
• The College of Arts & Sciences has seen its largest group of newly enrolled undergraduates since 2022.
• The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has achieved a five-year high in new undergraduate enrollments, up by 7.4% from Fall 2025.
• Zimpleman College of Business has welcomed its second-largest group of new undergraduates in the past five years.
• The School of Education has its largest intake of new undergraduates since 2023, with a 23.8% increase from Fall 2025.
• Drake Law School has enrolled 157 new Juris Doctor and graduate students, bringing total enrollment to 434, a high not seen in over a decade.
• The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has experienced significant growth in its Sports Media and Communication major, with 51 declared majors in its second year, exceeding expectations by 264%.

Drake University President Marty Martin expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to welcome a vibrant group of Bulldogs who will harness the power of a Drake education to learn, lead, and make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.” Martin emphasized the university’s global reach, saying, “While we are deeply rooted in Des Moines, our commitment to preparing students for responsible global citizenship extends far beyond Iowa.”

Increased Access for Iowa Residents

Drake’s initiatives to boost in-state enrollment include programs offering full tuition coverage for eligible Iowa residents.

• The Bulldog Promise offers full-tuition for four years to first-time Iowa college students with a 3.5 GPA or above and Federal Pell Grant eligibility. This fall, 100 new students are attending tuition-free, an increase from 59 in the previous year.
• The Bright College Pathway provides full-tuition for two years to Pell-eligible Iowa residents pursuing an associate degree. In Fall 2026, 59% of newly enrolled students in Bright College qualified for this program.

Expanding Global Reach

Drake University is enhancing its global footprint through various transnational education initiatives designed to prepare students for a globalized world.

• QU-Drake United College in Qingdao, China, offers students a dual degree from both Drake and Qingdao University. This fall, 170 first-year students joined, bringing the program’s total to nearly 500.
• Drake University Singapore offers a Doctor of Education program, with the first cohort starting in October 2026 at Nanyang Science and Technology College.
• Drake University Panama will begin offering academic programs in Fall 2027 at the City of Knowledge campus, with options for a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics and a “2+2” pathway.