Drexel University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Drexel University charges a net price of $38,509/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $154,036. Graduates earn a median $84,648 ten years after entry, $36,288/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.2 years — a 20-year net return of $571,724, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Drexel University's 4.2-year payback ranks #314 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 76% of them, and #21 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $38,509/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $154,036 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $84,648 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $36,288/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,325 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $571,724 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Drexel University's own numbers. Net price $38,509 × 4 years = $154,036 total. Median earnings $84,648 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $36,288 a year of premium. $154,036 ÷ $36,288 = 4.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $571,724. 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 Drexel University students graduate with?
A median $25,325 in federal loans among completers, or 30% of the $84,648 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Drexel University students graduate?
78% finish their degree. Spread the $154,036 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $197,482 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Drexel University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $38,509 net price runs $16,768 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $67,072 more across the full degree.