Drake Leads in 2025 U.S. News & World Report National University Rankings – Drake University Newsroom

Drake named a top 200 school, and #1 in Iowa for “Best Value School”

Drake University was once again ranked among the top 200 best colleges in the nation — this time in the U.S. News and World Report national university rankings, competing against the largest universities in the country.

The news comes just weeks after receiving similar accolades from The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Ranking. U.S. News also ranked Drake as the #1 private school in Iowa within its national university rankings.

According to the U.S. News national university ranking methodology*, Drake also secured high marks in several categories, including:

• #1 in projected graduation rate among all Iowa schools in national university rankings
• Ranked #67 nationally for “Best Value School” and #1 among all Iowa schools in national university rankings
• #1 for smallest student to faculty ratio among all Iowa schools in national university rankings at 10.1 to 1

Using a wide range of data sources, U.S. News analysts and editors calculated more than 80 Best Colleges rankings, all with the intent of enabling students and their families to identify colleges that best meet their needs. The rankings highlight colleges that excel in such areas as value, social mobility, teaching, veterans’ needs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and in six academic disciplines (Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Nursing, Economics, and Psychology).

“It’s an honor to once again be recognized by U.S. News and World Report,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “These findings, along with the recent Wall Street Journal News, demonstrate the value and lifetime return on investment of a Drake education, which ranks among the top 3% in the nation.”

To learn more about Drake’s nation-leading student outcomes, view our Measure of Success report.

*U.S. News definition: “National Universities offer a range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates.”