Drexel University

Drexel University, founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, stands as a cornerstone of Philadelphia's academic landscape. Originally established as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, the institution has since evolved, undergoing name changes that reflect its commitment to technological advancement and academic excellence. Now known as Drexel University, the institution boasts a diverse student body of over 24,000 individuals, comprising undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

While maintaining rigorous academic standards, Drexel University embraces a culture of inclusivity and accessibility, reflected in its leniently competitive admissions process. With an acceptance rate of 83%, the university welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. Through its comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, Drexel continues to uphold its mission of preparing students to tackle the challenges of tomorrow's world with confidence and competence.

Established in 1891, Drexel University is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the university gives a special emphasis on research, with most of its work involved in areas like health, technology, social sciences, and education. It is classified as an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions on Higher Education. Overall, as a university, Shiksha considers it among the top 100 in the country, as part of its Popularity Rankings.

Getting admissions can be considered somewhat competitive, as the Drexel University acceptance rate stands at 67.8% for International students, and 79.4% overall. Similar to the more popular US universities like Columbia University and MIT USA, Drexel has further divided itself into around 6 schools and 10 colleges that offer courses in prominent fields like Law, Public Health, Medicine, Entrepreneurship, Computing, Arts and Sciences.

University Information

Here are some key facts and figures associated with studies at Drexel University:

History

The university began in 1891, as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, thanks to the efforts of Anthony J. Drexel, a philanthropist, who wanted to start an innovation school.

The university offered it's first degree, a Bachelor of Science in 1914, when its 18 departments were divided into four schools. In 1927, it attained the right to give out Master of Science degrees by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in 1965, the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

In 1936, the university was renamed to Drexel Institute of Technology, before acquiring its current name in 1970. It continued to expand over the rest of the 20th century, and today stands as one of the best research universities in USA.

Check out the video below to get a glimpse of what your student life may look at Drexel:

If you're overwhelmed by the cost of studies, then don't be concerned, as the university offers several scholarships to students based on merit and need, including financial aid for specific areas like Robotics, Arts, Science, and Sports, among others.

Mentioned below are some popular Drexel University Scholarships for Indian Students:

How can I get a Scholarship at Drexel University?

• Should be an Indian student applying for a full-time UG or PG course

• Minimum GPA of 2.0 for UG and 3.0 for PG Scholarships

• You're automatically considered based on your admission application

• You may need to submit a separate application for private scholarships

As an Indian student, you can choose from more than 100 undergraduate and 120 graduate and professional options when it comes to Courses at Drexel University. The programs come with the flexibility of the part-time format, which means you can take them up even if you're working. Apart from degrees, you can also pursue a certification program, while certain courses can also be taken up in an accelerated format.

Drexel University Popular Majors

Of the large pool of courses available to students, programs in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Arts, Psychology, Social Science, and Biology are more popular among students, based on a 2024 survey by US News.

Drexel University Online Courses

You have 150 options to choose from as part of Online Courses at Drexel, which mainly include degree and certification programs. Business Administration, Law, Health Services, Nursing, and Educational Leadership are just some of the options for you to choose from.

Actors, Film Producers, Politicians, Media Personalities, Engineers, Businessmen, and Athletes make up the Drexel University Notable Alumni. The likes of Computer Networks Engineer, Paul Baran, Board Chair of Linux Professional Institute, Jon Hall, former ambassador of the US to Finland, Earle I. Mack, are just some of the names to have pursued their education from the university.

Mentioned below are some other popular names to have done the same:

Name	Known For	Alumnus
Lex Fridman	American Computer Scientist and Podcaster Known for hosting the Lex Fridman Podcast Pursued a BS in Computer Science and MS in Electrical Engineering
Alassane Ouattara	Ivorian Politician and Economist President of the Ivory Coast Graduated with a BSc in Business Administration in 1965
Chris McKendry	American Sports Journalist Host of SportsCenter on ESPN Graduated with a Bachelor's in Humanities in 1990
Damion Lee	American Basketball Player Represented the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and the Phoenix Suns Graduated with a Bachelor's in General Humanities and Social Science
Chuck Barris	American Film Producer and TV Host Known for game shows like The Gong Show and The Dating Game Pursued a course in Business Administration in 1953

Drexel graduates get job offers from some of the best companies across Industries, who pay them well for their contributions. The university's graduates tend to earn 11.9% higher salaries than the national average figure for freshers in the country. The university also ranks among the top 3% in the US for overall lifetime earnings, and #8 among 117 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania for median salary earned by graduates.

Drexel University Placement Rate

Around 96% of the undergraduate Class of 2023 were either working or enrolled in further studies after Drexel University Placements. Here is a lowdown on some of the key stats associated with Drexel University Job Outcomes:

ROI After Education

Drexel Graduates get a very fine return on their initial investment as part of placements. Here is the Drexel University Average Salary figure for Class of 2023 graduates:

• Admissions for UG courses are now open.
• The.deadline for the Winter intake 2027 is Oct 1, 2026

The university accepts admission applications in the Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision formats for UG courses, and on a seasonal basis for graduate courses. As an Indian student, you'd be required to submit a Common Application or a Coalition Application with Scoir if you're interested in Drexel University Admissions to UG courses. A general application is enough for admission to graduate courses. Make sure to submit your applications by the deadlines given below.

Drexel University Application Deadline 2026

Mentioned below are the upcoming deadlines for Indian students at Drexel:

Drexel University Eligibility Criteria

• A completed online application
• Drexel University Application Fee of around USD 65 (INR 5.7 K)
• A 250 to 600-word Essay
• Official transcripts sent directly by your school or university
• Letter of Recommendation
• Prove English Proficiency
• Proof of Finances
• A Portfolio (for Design and Architecture courses)
• Any other course-specific requirement
• A CSS Profile
• Writing Supplement (for Architecture and Music courses)

Drexel University Undergraduate Admission Requirements

As an Indian student, you can also submit valid scores in standardized tests like the SAT or the ACT exam. These are optional for most programs, and submitting them won't harm your overall chances of admission, but it can certainly improve them.

You're also advised to submit any additional certifications or academic qualifications you may have achieved in the past.

Drexel University Graduate Admission Requirements

For some postgraduate courses, you may be required to submit a valid GRE score via the ETS account and provide some supplemental documents as per your course.

Drexel University ranks among the top 100 universities in the US in 2026. As per Shiksha, the Drexel University USA Ranking is #86. Whereas, in the world rankings, Drexel University ranks at #448 in 2026. Subject rankings of Drexel University in the US are also mentioned below:

By Other Ranking Bodies

Drexel Uni also ranks highly in the university rankings given by prominent platforms like US News, THE, and ARWU:

Drexel offers all the key features of a general university campus in the US, and more to its students who visit from more than 120 countries. The Drexel University Campus is home to more than 300 student clubs, 35 fraternities and sororities, world-class research facilities, an NCAA Division I Athletics program, and a co-op program for students, which allows them to gain paid work experience in their fields of study, alongside their academics.

Drexel University Campus Location

The university operates 3 campuses across Philadelphia, namely, the University City Campus, the Center City Campus, and the Queen Lane Campus. Among these, the University City Campus, spread around a 74-acre area in West Philadelphia, is where most of the university's work takes place.

Drexel University Campus Life

• For housing, undergraduate students can live as part of rooms available at the residential halls, while for graduate students, apartment-based housing is available. Both come with all important living services like beds, bathrooms, internet, community kitchens, laundry, AC, and Heating, among others.
• You can choose a meal plan as part of your stay on campus, via the DrexelOne portal, that offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also check out the Urban Eatery and Northside Dining Terrace, where you can have pancakes, bacon, eggs, bagels, and burgers.
• For health and fitness, the university has an athletics program and a dedicated Athletic Center that includes five squash courts, a swimming pool, a gym, and a golf center. The university's sports teams compete as part of the NCAA Division I, across sports like basketball, soccer, squash, and wrestling.