Founded in 1881 by Union General Francis Marion Drake and the Disciples of Christ Church, Drake University is a premier private university located in Des Moines, Iowa. Spanning an attractive 150-acre campus in Iowa's capital city featuring mid-century architecture designed by Eero Saarinen, Drake connects business analytics, law, clinical pharmacy, journalism, and the world-famous Drake Relays track carnival. You can examine its founding charter, legislative history, and campus expansion through the Drake University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend Drake, you enter a career-driven, student-centered academic setting characterized by small class sizes, direct professional networking, and deep civic integration into Des Moines. Living in Iowa's capital city places you steps away from insurance hubs, financial firms, state courts, and media centers.
Premier Academic Programs
Drake organizes its instruction across six specialized colleges holding top national reputations:
- Zimpleman College of Business: AACSB-accredited business school famous for actuarial science, corporate finance, accounting, and marketing analytics. Explore degree options on the Zimpleman College of Business portal.
- Drake University Law School: One of the twenty oldest law schools in the United States, renowned for constitutional law, agricultural law, and trial advocacy.
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Prepares clinical pharmacists and occupational therapists through direct health network internships.
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication: Top-ranked program in digital media, strategic political communication, and magazine publishing.
- School of Education: Prepares compassionate teachers, educational leaders, and human service professionals across the region.
"Veritas, translated from Latin as Truth, serves as the official motto governing academic discovery at Drake."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Helmick Commons, the Cowles Library, and the Olmsted Center. School spirit revolves around Spike the Bulldog and the official live English Bulldog mascot, Griff, who lead student cheers during NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference athletic events. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official Drake Bulldogs Athletics portal. Cheering inside historic Drake Stadium during the Drake Relays, attending political debates, and joining over 160 student clubs creates a vibrant campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Constitutional Law
Drake operates an active applied research framework with specialized centers in public policy and agricultural law:
- The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement: Nonpartisan research institute analyzing disability policy, retirement security, and wellness policy.
- Agricultural Law Center: Internationally recognized research center evaluating food systems, renewable energy regulation, and farm policy. Learn more via Drake Research Operations.
- Constitutional Law Center: Federally endowed research institute conducting academic symposiums on constitutional governance.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Cabinet Secretaries, Pulitzer Prize winners, corporate leaders, and Olympic athletes, including:
- Tom Harkin: Longtime U.S. Senator and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act who earned his law degree at Drake.
- Bill Bryson: Internationally acclaimed travel writer and humor author who attended Drake University.
- David Axelrod: Senior White House Advisor and political strategist who served as an executive fellow at Drake.
- Johnny Bright: College Football Hall of Fame halfback and Canadian Football League legend who starred for Drake.
Drake provides generous merit scholarship coverage and tuition guarantee programs for qualified domestic and international applicants. Review full admission standards on the official Drake Admissions portal.