Drake University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Drake University charges a net price of $29,127/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $116,508. Graduates earn a median $71,901 ten years after entry, $23,541/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.9 years — a 20-year net return of $354,312, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Drake University's 4.9-year payback ranks #410 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 68% of them, and #1 of 47 in Iowa.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $29,127/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $116,508 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,901 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,541/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $354,312 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Drake University's own numbers. Net price $29,127 × 4 years = $116,508 total. Median earnings $71,901 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,541 a year of premium. $116,508 ÷ $23,541 = 4.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $354,312. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Drake University students graduate with?
A median $23,000 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $71,901 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Drake University students graduate?
74% finish their degree. Spread the $116,508 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $157,443 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Drake University expensive compared with other Iowa colleges?
Its $29,127 net price runs $10,538 above the $18,589 median across the 47 Iowa colleges we profile, or $42,152 more across the full degree.