“Philadelphia's university for the real world — a nationally recognized institution with one of the most powerful cooperative education programs in the country.”
Drexel University, founded in 1891, is a dynamic private research university in the heart of University City, Philadelphia. Drexel is most famous for its cooperative education (co-op) program — one of the oldest, largest, and most recognized in the United States — which allows students to alternate full-time academic semesters with full-time paid professional work experience. By graduation, Drexel students typically have 18 months of real-world professional experience on their resumes. Drexel offers programs across engineering, computer science, business, health sciences, design, and the arts and sciences. The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and the College of Engineering are particularly strong, and Drexel's close ties to Philadelphia's world-class hospital system make it a top choice for pre-health and nursing students. The Close School of Entrepreneurship is one of the most active entrepreneurship programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. Drexel's campus sits adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania and is steps from 30th Street Station — one of the busiest transit hubs on the East Coast. Philadelphia's abundance of major hospitals, law firms, engineering companies, and financial institutions makes it ideal for students participating in the co-op program.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding — decisions mid-December
Early Action
Non-binding — decisions mid-December
Regular Decision
Rolling decisions
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$60,687
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
A comprehensive engineering school with strong programs across all major disciplines, renowned for integrating co-op professional experience into the curriculum.
An AACSB-accredited business school with strong finance and accounting programs, heavily integrated with the co-op program for maximum career preparation.
A nationally recognized design and media arts school offering innovative programs in fashion, graphic design, film, and interactive digital media.
A leading health professions college with strong nursing, physical therapy, and health sciences programs benefiting from Drexel's proximity to major Philadelphia hospitals.
5 years
Five-year program with three 6-month full-time co-ops at companies like Amazon, Comcast, Vanguard, and SAP — most students graduate with 18 months of paid industry experience and a job offer.
5 years
Co-op-integrated engineering degree with placements at Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GSK, and regional manufacturers; ABET-accredited.
4 years
Westphal's nationally recognized game-design program; co-op placements at studios like Riot, EA, and indie houses; portfolio-driven curriculum.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $83,818
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
