More selective than 59% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
38% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 6% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Drexel University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Drexel University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Drexel University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Character and personal qualities
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Drexel University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
94% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Drexel University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Drexel University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 620 | 700 |
| SAT math | 620 | 740 |
| ACT composite | 27 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1240 | 1440 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Drexel University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 79% | 620–700 | 620–740 | 27–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 78% | 610–700 | 620–730 | 27–33 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Drexel University compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Drexel University has the 47th-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Elizabethtown College | 78% | 76% | $26,598 |
| 44 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 78% | 71% | $23,331 |
| 45 | Juniata College | 79% | 74% | $23,988 |
| 46 | Messiah University | 79% | 75% | $26,502 |
| 47 | Drexel University | 79% | 78% | $38,509 |
| 48 | Seton Hill University | 80% | 67% | $22,204 |
| 49 | Arcadia University | 80% | 67% | $29,466 |
| 50 | Temple University | 80% | 75% | $28,198 |
| 51 | Washington & Jefferson College | 81% | 70% | $25,002 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at Drexel University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Drexel University admissions questions
What is the Drexel University acceptance rate?
Drexel University accepts 79% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 31,171 of 40,204 applicants were admitted.
Does Drexel University require the SAT or ACT?
Drexel University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 38% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Drexel University?
The middle 50% of Drexel University enrolled first-year students scored 1240–1440 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Drexel University?
9% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,883 of 31,171).
What does Drexel University look for in applicants?
Drexel University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: essay, recommendations, character and personal qualities. Considered: interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Drexel University have early decision?
Yes. Drexel University offers binding early decision. It also offers non-binding early action.
Is Drexel University getting harder to get into?
Drexel University accepted 79% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 78% for Fall 2023.
Is Drexel University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Drexel University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Drexel University overview