Wall Street Journal names Drake #1 private school in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa — Drake University has been named the number one private school in Iowa by the Wall Street Journal.

The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Rankings named Drake the top private school in Iowa for the second year in a row and they have ranked the college in the top 200 best colleges in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to be named on The Wall Street Journal’s list of top colleges for the second year in a row,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “These results only further solidify what we know to be true, and what is demonstrated through our Measure of Success report. That Drake University is a national leader at integrating liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation to ready students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishment, and responsible global citizenship.”

Drake University said the rankings show that what the university has been doing is working. Drake graduates rank the highest in Iowa for median salary ten years after enrollment, according to the U.S. Department of Education. A Policy Center Study also ranked Drake in the top three percent nationally for return investments (ROI)

According to the university’s Measure of Success report, Drake boasts at 97.3 percent accomplishment rate for undergraduates, compared to the national average of 85.7 percent. These numbers are based on the percentage of 2023 students who are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduating.

To learn more about Drake University’s accomplishments read their latest Measure of Success report.

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