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#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

Drake Admission Requirements

Des Moines, Iowa

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Drake University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

67.2%
Admission Difficulty for Drake University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Drake is 67.2%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Drake and can you get accepted?

Drake is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 5,796 out of the 8,621 who applied were admitted.

Drake University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Drake?

67% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Drake University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1230 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT

Drake GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Drake University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Drake are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Drake accepts 67% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Drake is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 32% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Drake is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Drake University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 32.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 26.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 11.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Drake SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Drake University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 17% of students submitted SAT scores and 36% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1110-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

17%
SAT Scores for Drake University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 560
Math 25th Percentile 550
Composite 25th Percentile 1110
SAT Scores for Drake University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1230

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Drake University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Drake is 1230 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1110-1340. Students who get into Drake University score in the top 39 percent of all SAT test takers..  Drake ranks #4 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1230 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Drake regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1110 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1110, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 990, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Drake University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1225, you have around a 67% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

Drake University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >79%
1225 to 1340 Avg + 67%-79%
1110 to 1225 Avg - 52%-67%
995 to 1110 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 995 Low <36%
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Drake ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

36%
ACT Scores for Drake University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Drake University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Drake?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Drake is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30.  The school ranks #2 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

36 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Drake University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Drake University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Drake for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 67% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 81% with a 30 ACT score.

Drake University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >81%
27 to 30 Avg + 67%-81%
25 to 27 Avg - 55%-67%
23 to 25 Reach 42%-55%
Less than 23 Low <42%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Drake University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,699 3,881 8,621
Accepted 3,340 2,446 5,796
Acceptance Rate 71% 63% 67%
Enrolled 437 296 733
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 12% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Drake University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Drake University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Drake University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Drake University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Drake is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1230 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Drake University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153269 IPEDS survey data for Drake University.

Last updated February 24, 2024