Drexel University facts for kids
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Former names
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| Motto | "Ambition Can't Wait" On seal: "Art, Science, Industry" |
| Type | Private research university |
| Established | December 17, 1891 |
| Founder | Anthony Joseph Drexel |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $966 million (2023) |
| President | Antonio Merlo |
| Provost | Paul E. Jensen |
| Students | 24,205 |
| Undergraduates | 15,346 |
| Postgraduates | 8,859 |
| Location |
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Pennsylvania
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U.S.
39°57′14″N 75°11′17″W / 39.954°N 75.188°W |
| Campus | Large city, 96 acres (0.39 km2) (total) 74 acres (0.30 km2) (University City main campus) |
| Other campuses |
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| Newspaper | The Triangle |
| Colors | Blue and yellow |
| Nickname | Dragons |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Mario the Magnificent |
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Drexel University is a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It focuses on research and hands-on learning. A rich man named Anthony J. Drexel started the university in 1891. It was first called the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. Later, its name changed to Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936. In 1970, it became Drexel University.
As of 2020, more than 24,000 students attend Drexel. They can choose from over 70 undergraduate programs and more than 100 master's and doctoral programs. A special part of Drexel is its cooperative education program, called "co-op." This program lets students get up to 18 months of paid work experience related to their studies before they graduate.
Contents
- History of Drexel University
- What Students Study at Drexel
- How to Get Into Drexel
- Drexel's Colleges and Schools
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
- School of Economics
- College of Engineering
- College of Computing and Informatics
- College of Medicine
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies
- Pennoni Honors College
- Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- School of Education
- Dornsife School of Public Health
- Center for Hospitality and Sport Management
- Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship
- Online Learning at Drexel
- Drexel's Co-op Program
- Research at Drexel
- University Rankings
- Drexel Campuses
- Student Life at Drexel
- Drexel Athletics
- Famous Drexel Alumni
- Awards Given by Drexel
- See also
History of Drexel University
How Drexel University Started
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Drexel University began in 1891. It was founded by Anthony J. Drexel, a wealthy businessman from Philadelphia who also gave a lot of money to good causes. His goal was to offer education in "practical arts and sciences" to everyone, no matter their background.
Drexel's history also connects to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. This Academy started in 1812. In 2011, Drexel took over its management.
Drexel's Growth in the 20th Century
In 1936, the school changed its name to the Drexel Institute of Technology. It became Drexel University in 1970.
Drexel has always focused on preparing students for careers. In 1919, it started its special co-op program. This program lets students switch between studying in class and working full-time jobs related to their major.
From 1995 to 2009, Drexel grew a lot under President Constantine Papadakis. Student numbers and the university's funds greatly increased. Drexel also became more selective about who it accepted. In 2007, Drexel hosted a big political debate for presidential candidates.
Drexel in the 21st Century
In 2002, Drexel University took over the Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) Hahnemann University. This created the Drexel University College of Medicine. In 2006, Drexel also started its own law school, the Thomas R. Kline School of Law. This law school became fully approved in 2011.
After President Papadakis passed away in 2009, John Anderson Fry became the new president. Under his leadership, Drexel continued to expand. In July 2011, it officially joined with The Academy of Natural Sciences. In July 2025, Drexel also completed its merger with Salus University, which has many health-related programs.
John Anderson Fry stepped down in July 2024. Antonio Merlo became the new president on July 1, 2025.
What Students Study at Drexel
How to Get Into Drexel
In 2024, Drexel University accepted about 77.5% of students who applied. Students who got in had an average high school GPA of 3.67. Drexel does not require SAT or ACT scores, but they will look at them if you send them.
Drexel's Colleges and Schools
Drexel has many different colleges and schools. Each one focuses on different subjects.
College of Arts and Sciences
This college was formed in 1990. It combines studies in science and humanities (like history and literature).
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
This college teaches about media, design, and performing arts. It offers many programs, from architecture and graphic design to fashion and TV management.
Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
The LeBow College of Business started in 1896. It offers many business majors and graduate programs. About 22% of Drexel's undergraduate students study here. This college is known for its strong business programs.
School of Economics
This school is part of the LeBow College of Business. It offers programs in economics, including advanced degrees. Its teachers have done important research in international trade.
College of Engineering
Drexel's College of Engineering is one of its oldest and largest schools. It was the main focus when the university started in 1891. Famous alumni from this college include astronauts and Paul Baran, who helped invent the internet. This college created the world's first engineering degree in "appropriate technology."
College of Computing and Informatics
This college is newer but offers programs that have been around for a while. It teaches computer science, software engineering, data science, and computer security.
College of Medicine
The Drexel University College of Medicine joined Drexel in 2002. It offers medical degrees and over 40 graduate programs in biomedical sciences.
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
This school offers master's and PhD degrees in fields like biochemistry and biotechnology. It is also a main center for biomedical research at Drexel.
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
This school started in 1961. It was the first of its kind in the United States. It focuses on biomedical science, which combines biology and engineering.
College of Nursing and Health Professions
This college also joined Drexel in 2002. It offers many programs in nursing, nutrition, and health sciences. Its research gets a lot of funding each year.
Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies
This college started in 1892. It focuses on programs for adult learners. It offers evening, weekend, and online courses.
Pennoni Honors College
The Pennoni Honors College is for Drexel's top students. Students in this college live together and take special classes. They also get to do unique activities and meet guest speakers.
Thomas R. Kline School of Law
This law school opened in 2006. It was the first new law school in Philadelphia in over 30 years. It offers law degrees and includes co-op experiences in its programs.
School of Education
This is one of Drexel's oldest schools. It started by training women to be teachers in 1891. Today, it offers programs for both undergraduate and graduate students who want to become teachers or work in education.
Dornsife School of Public Health
The School of Public Health aims to improve people's health. It offers degrees in public health, biostatistics, and epidemiology. Its students are very involved in research.
Center for Hospitality and Sport Management
This center started in 2013. It brings together programs in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, and sport management.
Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship
This school is unique because it's the first school in the U.S. focused only on entrepreneurship. It teaches students how to start and run their own businesses.
Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship
This institute is part of the Close School. It helps Drexel students who are starting their own businesses. It gives them resources and advice.
Online Learning at Drexel
Drexel University started its first online program in 1996. In 2001, it created Drexel University Online to offer more online courses. Drexel University Online has won awards for its excellent online programs. As of December 2013, it offered over 100 online degrees and certificate programs.
Drexel's Co-op Program
Drexel's co-op program is one of the oldest and largest in the United States. Students can find jobs through Drexel's online database. A student in a 5-year program usually gets 18 months of work experience with up to three different companies. Most co-op jobs are paid. About one-third of Drexel graduates get full-time job offers from their co-op employers.
Research at Drexel
Drexel is known as a "Very High Research Activity" university. This means it does a lot of important research. In 2018, it was ranked 51st among universities worldwide for getting U.S. patents for inventions.
University Rankings
Drexel University is highly ranked. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Drexel tied for 86th among national universities. It was also ranked 29th for "Most Innovative Schools." The Wall Street Journal ranked Drexel 54th among 400 U.S. institutions.
Drexel Campuses
Drexel University has three main campuses in the Philadelphia area. These are the University City Campus, the Center City Campus, and the Queen Lane College of Medicine Campus.
University City Main Campus
This is Drexel's largest and oldest campus. It covers about 77 acres and is located in the University City area of Philadelphia. This campus has the university's main offices and is where most students take classes. It also has two main performance stages: the Mandell Theater and the Main Auditorium.
Queen Lane Campus
Drexel bought the Queen Lane Campus when it took over MCP Hahnemann University. It is in northwest Philadelphia. First and second-year medical students use this campus a lot. A free shuttle connects it to the other campuses.
Center City Campus
The Center City Campus is in the middle of Philadelphia. It is connected to the University City and Queen Lane campuses by a shuttle service.
Academy of Natural Sciences
In 2011, The Academy of Natural Sciences became part of Drexel University. Founded in 1812, it is America's oldest natural history museum. It is a world leader in studying nature and the environment.
Student Life at Drexel
Student Groups
Drexel has over 250 student organizations. These groups cover many interests, like academics, sports, community service, culture, and arts.
Jewish Life on Campus
About 5% of Drexel students are Jewish. There is a Chabad House and a Hillel, which are centers for Jewish life. They offer services for both Jewish and non-Jewish students.
Drexel's TV Station
DUTV is Drexel's own cable TV station in Philadelphia. Students run the station. It offers educational shows and gives students experience in TV production. Over 75% of DUTV's shows are made by students.
Student Publications
The Triangle has been Drexel's newspaper since 1926. It publishes every two weeks during the school year. It has won several awards for student journalism.
The school yearbook, called the Lexerd, was first published in 1911.
Where Students Live
Drexel requires first and second-year students who don't live at home to live in one of its ten residence halls or in "university approved housing." Second-year students can choose from special upperclassmen residence halls or approved apartments.
Fraternities and Sororities
About 12% of Drexel's undergraduate students are part of fraternities and sororities. These are social groups that often do community service and host events.
Drexel Athletics
Drexel's mascot is a dragon named "Mario the Magnificent." He is named after a Drexel alumnus who attended many basketball games. The dragon has been the school's mascot since the 1920s.
Drexel's sports teams are called the Drexel Dragons. They compete in the NCAA's Division I. They are part of the Coastal Athletic Association. Drexel does not have a varsity football team.
Besides varsity teams, Drexel has 33 club sports teams. These include ice hockey, lacrosse, water polo, and cycling.
Famous Drexel Alumni
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Over 100,000 people have graduated from Drexel University. Many famous people have attended Drexel. These include artists like Violet Oakley and Frank Schoonover.
During World War II, Drexel's technical programs grew. This led to graduates like Paul Baran, who helped create the internet, and Norman Joseph Woodland, who invented the barcode.
Drexel has also produced famous athletes, such as NBA basketball players Michael Anderson, Damion Lee, and Malik Rose. Many successful business people have also graduated from Drexel, including Raj Gupta, former CEO of Rohm and Haas. Alassane Dramane Ouattara, the President of Ivory Coast, is also a Drexel alumnus. In 2018, Tirthak Saha, a 2016 graduate, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work in energy.
In 1991, for its 100th anniversary, Drexel created the Drexel 100 association. This group honors alumni who have shown great success in their work, giving back, or public service.
Awards Given by Drexel
Drexel University gives out the $100,000 Anthony J. Drexel Exceptional Achievement Award each year. This award recognizes a university teacher in the U.S. whose work changes both research and society.
In 2004, Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions created the BAYADA Award. This award honors nurses and educators who use new ideas to improve patient care or nursing education.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Drexel para niños
- Association of Independent Technological Universities
