
Drexel University is a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1891 by banker and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel and consists of colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Administration, Engineering, Information Science and Technology, and the Nesbitt College of Design Arts. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. While it is not exclusively a Catholic college, Drexel University has a Catholic community called the Drexel Newman Catholic Community, which seeks to help students grow in their Catholic faith through various activities and events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Institution | Private, coeducational institution of higher learning |
| Founding | 1891 |
| Founder | Banker and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Campus Size | 96 acres |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 9:1 |
| Enrollment | 12,099 (fall 2023) |
| Acceptance Rate | 77.5% (as of 2024) |
| Tuition Fees | $62,412 |
| Financial Aid | 62% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid |
| Average Net Price for Federal Loan Recipients | $35,596 |
| Religious Affiliation | Catholic community |
| Colleges | Arts and Sciences, Business and Administration, Engineering, Information Science and Technology, Nesbitt College of Design Arts, College of Media Arts and Design, LeBow College of Business |
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What You'll Learn

Drexel University is a private institution founded in 1891
Today, Drexel University is ranked within the top 50 private universities in the United States and is known for its emphasis on real-world learning and experiential education. The university offers a range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs across various colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Administration, the College of Engineering, and the College of Information Science and Technology. The College of Engineering is one of its oldest and largest colleges, offering the world's first engineering degree in appropriate technology.
The university is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has an urban campus spanning 96 acres. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 12,000 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 9:1. Drexel University is also home to several notable alumni, including astronauts, financiers, and inventors.
While Drexel University is not specifically a Catholic college, it does offer spiritual and religious resources for its students, including the Drexel Newman Catholic Community, which seeks to support students in their Catholic faith through various activities and events. The university also has a chapel, the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel, and the Newman Center and Church (St. Agatha & St. James) located off-campus.
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The College of Engineering is one of its oldest colleges
Drexel University is a private institution founded in 1891. The College of Engineering is one of its oldest colleges, dating back to the university's founding year. The college was established by banker A.J. Drexel to prepare his hometown Philadelphians for the opportunities that the Industrial Revolution would bring. It has since become the university's flagship college, with engineering as its flagship discipline.
The College of Engineering has six departments, 11 undergraduate programs/majors, and 17 graduate degree programs. It is home to 19% of the undergraduate student body and is known for creating the world's first engineering degree in appropriate technology. The college is also one of only 17 U.S. universities to offer a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering and one of only five private institutions to do so.
The college has one of the oldest cooperative education programs in the nation, established in 1919. The program allows students to alternate between study and six-month cycles of full-time, professional employment, with up to 99% of undergraduates participating. The college's alumni include astronauts Christopher Ferguson and Paul W. Richards, inventor of network packet switching Paul Baran, developers of barcode technology Bernard Silver and Norman Joseph Woodland, and financier Bennett S. Lebow, whom the university's College of Business is named after.
The evolution of the college throughout the 20th century saw the awarding of B.S. degrees in the 1910s, the growth of the cooperative program in the 1920s and 1930s, and the enrollment of the first class of women engineers in the 1940s. The 1950s saw an expansion of laboratories, and in the 1960s, the college began offering Ph.D. studies. The 1980s and 1990s brought the introduction of personal computers and the internet, respectively, with the college creating the world's first engineering degree in appropriate technology in 1986.
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The university has a campus size of 96 acres
Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The university has a campus size of 96 acres. The campus is located just west of the Schuylkill River in the University City district of Philadelphia. Drexel's main campus serves as the heart of West Philadelphia, with a vibrant community to the west and the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station to the east. The campus is conveniently located near housing, restaurants, and public transit, making it easily accessible for both local and commuting students.
The University City Campus spans 74 acres and is Drexel University's largest and oldest campus. It contains the university's administrative offices and serves as the main academic centre for students. The northern, residential portion of the main campus is situated in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. The campus boasts two prominent performing arts venues: the Mandell Theater, with 424 seats, and the Main Auditorium, which has over 1000 seats and dates back to the founding of Drexel.
Drexel University's programs are spread across three Philadelphia-area campuses: the University City Campus, the Center City Campus, and the Queen Lane College of Medicine Campus. The Center City Campus is centrally located in Philadelphia, between Broad and 15th Streets, with a shuttle service connecting it to the other two campuses. The Queen Lane Campus, situated in the East Falls neighbourhood of northwest Philadelphia, is primarily used by first- and second-year medical students, as well as researchers.
Drexel University offers a wide range of academic programs and is known for its cooperative education program, providing students with the opportunity to gain up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in their field of study before graduation. The university has a rich history, founded in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry by Anthony J. Drexel. Over time, the university has expanded and evolved, with significant growth occurring under the leadership of Dr. Constantine Papadakis between 1995 and 2009. Today, Drexel University continues to thrive and expand, offering a diverse range of educational opportunities within its 96-acre campus.
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It offers a wide range of spiritual and religious support
Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is not a Catholic college. While the university was founded by Anthony J. Drexel, a prominent Catholic philanthropist and educator, it has always been a non-sectarian institution, welcoming students and faculty of all faiths and backgrounds. However, the university does have a strong foundation in spiritual and religious support, offering a wide range of resources to its community.
The Drexel Interfaith Council, for example, is an umbrella organization that oversees and supports the various religious and spiritual groups on campus. The council ensures that students of all faiths have the resources and opportunities to practice their beliefs and encourages interfaith dialogue and cooperation. There are a number of faith-based student organizations at Drexel, representing a variety of religious traditions, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist groups, as well as non-denominational Christian organizations. These groups offer regular services, social events, and opportunities for spiritual growth and connection.
In addition to student organizations, Drexel also has an official partnership with the nearby St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, located just a few blocks from the main campus. The university community is welcome to attend services and events at the church, and the partnership ensures a close relationship between the Catholic community and the university. The church also offers a number of student-focused programs and ministries, providing spiritual guidance and support to Catholic students.
For those seeking non-denominational support, Drexel's Office of Spirituality, Diversity, and Inclusion offers a range of programs and services. The office promotes spiritual exploration and dialogue, and its programs are open to people of all faiths, as well as those who do not identify with a particular religion. The office also oversees the university's religious advisors, who are available to meet with students and offer spiritual guidance and support. These advisors represent a variety of faith traditions and are a valuable resource for students seeking personal growth and exploration.
Finally, Drexel's Student Life department offers a number of programs and events that encourage spiritual exploration and dialogue. These include regular interfaith dinners, service projects, and educational workshops, all of which are designed to bring students of different faiths together and promote understanding and cooperation. Through these diverse offerings, Drexel University demonstrates its commitment to supporting the spiritual and religious needs of its diverse student body.
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The university is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The university's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. The university's main campus is located in the University City district of Philadelphia, just west of the Schuylkill River. The campus covers 74 acres (or 77 acres according to another source) and serves as the heart of West Philadelphia. It is conveniently located near housing, restaurants, and public transit, making it accessible for both students who live in Philadelphia and those who commute.
The University City Campus is Drexel University's largest and oldest campus, containing the university's administrative offices and serving as the main academic center for students. The northern, residential portion of the main campus is situated in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. The campus features two prominent performing stages: the Mandell Theater and the Main Auditorium, which dates back to the founding of the university. The Main Auditorium boasts over 1,000 seats and a pipe organ installed in 1928.
In addition to the University City Campus, Drexel University has several other campuses and locations. The Center City Campus is located in the middle of Philadelphia, offering state-of-the-art facilities for students in various health plans of study. The Queen Lane Campus is situated in the East Falls neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia and is primarily used by first and second-year medical students, as well as researchers. Drexel University also has a business campus in Malvern and a campus in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, which offers academic programs in health sciences.
The university has undergone significant changes and expansions over the years, including the establishment of Drexel University Online in 2001, which received recognition for excellence in online education. In 2012, Drexel University opened a new location in Washington, D.C., catering to its online student population. With its diverse campuses and rich history, Drexel University continues to be a prominent educational institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Drexel University is a private, coeducational institution. However, it does have a Catholic community called the Drexel Newman Catholic Community.
The Drexel Newman Catholic Community is a community that helps students grow in their Catholic faith. They provide many opportunities for students to encounter Christ and grow in their Catholic faith through sacraments, small groups, retreats, social events, and discipleship and service.
The Newman Center and Church (St. Agatha & St. James) is located right off campus at 111 S. 38th Street, and they have a chapel and an office on campus on the 2nd floor of the Academic Building.











































