Drexel Admission Requirements

  • 8/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • 3.0 1 review
#14 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Drexel Admission Overview

Drexel admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Drexel admitted 79.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1240-1440 / ACT 27-32. Drexel 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

Drexel Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

79.4%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Drexel University

Acceptance Rate

The Drexel acceptance rate is 79.4%. Last year, 29,642 of 37,314 applicants were admitted. That is the 53rd lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

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

Drexel is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good 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.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 8% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Drexel GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.67*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.67*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Drexel has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.67 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Drexel is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.67 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Drexel Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Drexel University uses a No Harm Test-Optional policy for first-year fall applicants. SAT or ACT scores are not required, and scores that do not help your file are not used against you. You may self-report scores on the Common Application or Coalition Application; Drexel later asks for official results and uses your highest SAT or ACT section scores across test dates. Choosing not to send scores does not affect merit scholarships. The BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program still requires SAT or ACT scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://drexel.edu/admissions/apply/undergrad-instructions/first-year-instructions/standardized-tests

Drexel SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1240-1440

Freshmen who sent SAT

34%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 620
  • Math 620
  • Composite 1240
SAT 25th percentile scores for Drexel University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 700
  • Math 740
  • Composite 1440
SAT 75th percentile scores for Drexel University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Drexel typically score around a 1340 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1440) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 91st percentile nationally. Drexel ranks #14 in the state of Pennsylvania and #149 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1440

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Drexel 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 1340 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.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Drexel University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1440+ Above 75th >88%
1340 to 1440 Avg + 79%-88%
1240 to 1340 Avg - 66%-79%
Below 1240 Below mid-50 <66%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Drexel ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

27-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

5%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 26
  • Composite 27
ACT 25th percentile scores for Drexel University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 31
  • Composite 32
ACT 75th percentile scores for Drexel University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Drexel typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Drexel places #16 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #184 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Drexel without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 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.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Drexel University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
32+ Above 75th >89%
29 to 32 Avg + 79%-89%
27 to 29 Avg - 69%-79%
Below 27 Below mid-50 <69%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

65% of Drexel University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 32% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Drexel University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 32%
Top 25% of class 65%
Top 50% of class 91%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

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 Drexel chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Drexel University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 18,920 17,829 37,314
Accepted 15,232 13,950 29,642
Acceptance Rate 81% 78% 79%
Enrolled 1,085 1,264 2,399
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 7% 9% 8%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Drexel University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Drexel University is $50.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Drexel University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Drexel is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 79.4% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1440); 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 Drexel University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=212054.

GPA calculator: Drexel University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026