Drake Admission Requirements
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Des Moines, IA
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Drake Admission Overview
Drake admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Drake admitted 63.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-) and SAT 1110-1350 / ACT 24-29. Drake is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Drake is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Drake Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Drake University
Acceptance Rate
The Drake acceptance rate is 63.9%. Last year, 6,304 of 9,873 applicants were admitted. That is the 5th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Drake University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Drake GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.7Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Drake typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Drake is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
32% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Drake SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1110-1350Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
5%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 580
- Math 530
- Composite 1110
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 670
- Composite 1350
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Drake typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1110–1350) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. Drake ranks #4 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1110 to 1350
SAT policy
Drake is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Drake ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
24-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- English 22
- Math 22
- Composite 24
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 28
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Drake typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Drake places #4 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29
ACT policy
You may apply to Drake without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Drake chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Drake University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Drake University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Drake is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 63.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1110-1350); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Drake University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153269.
GPA calculator: Drake University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026