At $38,428/yr net price, Drexel University graduates earn $84,648/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $50,648/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $38,428 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $153,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,648/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$50,648/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,325 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,737/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,749/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $35,842/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,204/yr |
| $110,001+ | $47,490/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $111,501 | $127,979 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $109,095 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $102,258 | $51,250 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Master | $101,964 | |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $99,516 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $97,737 | $41,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $95,473 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Master | $93,520 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $92,632 | $56,561 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $88,448 |
The Risk Factor
77.1% of students at Drexel University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Drexel's numbers point to a solid return, but one you pay dearly for upfront. The $38,428 sticker net price is steep, yet the $84,648 median earnings ten years out and a 77% graduation rate mean most of you finish and land in jobs that justify the cost. A $25,325 median debt against those earnings is manageable, not crushing.
The payoff concentrates in technical fields. Computer science, computer engineering, chemical engineering, and information science all clear $70,000, and Drexel's co-op model plugs you directly into Philadelphia's healthcare, pharma, and tech employers before you graduate. Nursing stands out for a different reason: you earn $73,199 while carrying just $14,039 in debt, roughly half what computer science grads owe. That is the strongest debt-to-earnings ratio on the list.
The risk is major choice. Drexel's costs are the same whether you study engineering or a field with no reported earnings data here. If you enroll in a program outside the technical and nursing tracks, you take on the same high net price without evidence of the same salary floor. Pick your major before you commit to this price tag.
The income tiers show why Drexel works best if your family earns under $48,000, where net price lands near $28,000-$30,000. Above $110,000, you pay $47,490 a year, and the math only works if you go into a high-earning program. The middle tiers see net price climb sharply, so families earning $75,000-$110,000 get little relief.
Drexel is a good financial fit if you commit to computer science, engineering, information science, or nursing and use the co-op pipeline. If you are undecided or drawn to lower-earning fields, the price outpaces the likely return, and a cheaper option deserves a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drexel University worth the cost?
Drexel's graduates earn $84,648 annually after 10 years, which is decent but not exceptional given the $38,428 yearly net price. The value depends heavily on your major, with health and engineering programs offering strong returns while other fields may not justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Drexel University?
Allied health programs lead with $111,501 median earnings, followed by computer engineering at $109,095 and nursing at $102,258. These technical and healthcare fields provide the strongest return on investment at Drexel.
How much debt do Drexel University graduates have?
The median debt load is $25,325, which is manageable compared to many private universities. With a 77% graduation rate, most students complete their degrees, though those who don't finish face debt without the earning benefits.
Is Drexel University's tuition justified by graduate outcomes?
For students in high-paying programs like engineering and healthcare, the investment pays off well. However, students in lower-earning fields may struggle to justify the private school premium given the net price of over $38,000 annually.