Drexel University has demonstrated varied rankings across major ranking bodies in 2025. U.S. News & World Report placed it 86th among national universities, improving from 98th in 2024.
However, QS World University Rankings show a decline, moving from 601-610 in 2024 to 721-730 in 2025.
Meanwhile, THE Rankings dropped from 301-350 in 2024 to 351-400 in 2025. Subject-wise, Drexel’s Materials Science program secured 201-250 in QS, and Engineering ranked 201-250 in THE.
Drexel University World Rankings 2024-25
Drexel University has seen notable shifts in its rankings recently. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Drexel at 98th among national universities.
Below are Drexel University's rankings over the past three years:
Ranking Source
2023
2024
2025
QS World University Rankings
651-700
601-610
721-730
THE World University Rankings
301-350
301-350
351-400
U.S. News National University Ranking
N/A
98
86
The graphical representation below provides a visual comparison of these rankings over time.
Drexel University’s rankings show an inconsistent trend across different ranking bodies. In the QS World University Rankings, the university improved from 651-700 in 2023 to 601-610 in 2024, but then declined to 721-730 in 2025.
This fluctuation suggests changing evaluations in academic reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, or employer perception.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings remained stable between 301-350 in 2023 and 2024, before dropping to 351-400 in 2025. This indicates a slight dip in performance, possibly due to variations in research impact and international outlook.
The U.S. News & World Report ranking shows a steady rise, moving from 98 in 2024 to 86 in 2025.
These rankings reflect the university's evolving position in global and national contexts. Now, let’s take a closer look at how Drexel performs in the subject-wise rankings according to different ranking bodies.
Subject-Wise Rankings of Drexel University
Drexel University's 2025 subject rankings showcase its strengths across various disciplines. Notably, its Materials Science program secured the 39th position globally, reflecting the university's commitment to excellence in this field.
Moving forward, let's delve into the specific rankings provided by prominent organizations.
QS Rankings 2025
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Drexel University achieved a 201-250 ranking for material science and 501-530 for electrical and electronic engineering.
The following table highlights these rankings:
Subject
QS Ranking 2025
Materials Science
201-250
Medicine
351-400
Mechanical Engineering
401-450
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
501-530
Computer Science and Information Systems
451-500
Next, we will examine Drexel University's performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025.
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Drexel University stands at 201-250th position in engineering, 151-175th position in social sciences.
Along with that, the university secured the following positions:
Subject
THE Ranking 2025
Engineering
201-250
Business and Economics
301-400
Pyschology
251-300
Computer Science
601-800
Social Sciences
151-175
Let's now explore Drexel University's standings in the U.S. News Rankings 2025.
U.S. News Rankings 2025
The U.S. News & World Report 2025 ranked Drexel University in various disciplines. The university stands at 74th position in nursing and at 51th in undergraduate engineering programs. Here are the full rankings:
Subject
U.S. News Ranking 2025
Economics
143
Nursing
74
Undergraduate Engineering Programs
51
Having reviewed these subject-specific rankings, we will now proceed to the next section to explore Drexel University's miscellaneous rankings for 2025.
Miscellaneous Rankings 2025
Drexel University has secured strong rankings across multiple categories in 2025, showcasing its reputation for innovation, affordability, and academic quality. These rankings reflect the institution’s ongoing efforts to enhance student outcomes and research impact.
Below are the latest miscellaneous rankings of Drexel University:
Ranking Body
Rank
Description
The Wall Street Journal
54
Ranked 54th among 400 U.S. institutions, recognizing Drexel’s emphasis on academic excellence.
U.S. News & World Report
29
Tied for 29th in "Most Innovative Schools", reflecting its forward-thinking academic programs.
U.S. News & World Report
78
Ranked 78th in "Best Value Schools", indicating a strong return on investment for students.
U.S. News & World Report
92
Tied for 92nd for Social Mobility recognizing Drexel’s success in supporting low-income students.
Forbes
24
Ranked 24th among STEM universities for contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The university's position as 54th by The Wall Street Journal underscores its national recognition. The 29th place in "Most Innovative Schools" reflects its dedication to forward-thinking educational practices.
Ranking 78th in "Best Value Schools" indicates a balance between cost and quality education.
The 92nd position in "Top Performers on Social Mobility" showcases efforts in supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
Additionally, Forbes' ranking of 24th among STEM universities emphasizes Drexel's commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.
Now let’s take a look at Drexel University's excellence and achievements.
Drexel University: Excellence and Achievements
Drexel University has achieved notable milestones in academic excellence, cultural contributions, and community support. Notably, it ranks among the top 25 STEM colleges in the U.S., reflecting its strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Let's explore these areas in detail.
Academic Excellence
Drexel University has been recognized for its rigorous academic programs and research initiatives. It has been recognized as one of the top 25 STEM colleges in the US and classified among R1: Doctoral Universities.
Here are some academic achievements of Drexel University.
Achievement
Description
Top 25 STEM Colleges
Recognized by Forbes as one of the top 25 STEM colleges in the United States.
High Research Activity
Classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification.
Library & Information Studies Ranking
Ranked 14th nationally for Library and Information Studies Specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Next, let's explore Drexel University's cultural achievements.
Cultural Achievements
Drexel University actively contributes to cultural enrichment through various initiatives and collaborations like the Academy of Natural Sciences Affiliation.
Here’s the a few cultural achievements and initiatives Drexel takes:
Achievement
Description
Academy of Natural Sciences Affiliation
Home to the Academy of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas.
Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Offers diverse programs in arts and design, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Cultural Partnerships
Promotes cultural events and programs that enrich the community's artistic landscape.
Now, let's examine Drexel University's community support initiatives.
Community Support
Drexel University is deeply involved in community engagement, addressing local needs through innovative programs like the Cooperative Education Program and Intergenerational Home-Sharing Program.
Here are the community support initiatives Drexel takes:
Initiative
Description
Intergenerational Home-Sharing Program
Partners with the Mantua community to match students with older residents for affordable housing.
Cooperative Education Program
Offers students up to 18 months of full-time paid work experience.
Community-Based Learning Initiatives
Engages students in projects that address local challenges, promoting civic responsibility and providing practical experience.
Next, we will explore Drexel University's ranking in relation to its acceptance rate.
Drexel University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate
Drexel University maintains a general acceptance rate of 78%. This rate reflects the university's selective yet accessible admission standards.
Below is a comparison of Drexel University's QS subject rankings for 2025 alongside the overall acceptance rate:
Program
QS Rankings 2025
Acceptance Rate
Materials Science
201-250
78%
Medicine
351-400
Mechanical Engineering
401-450
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
501-530
Computer Science and Information Systems
451-500
Ranking Bodies Methodologies
Drexel University’s rankings are determined by various agencies, each using distinct evaluation criteria. QS World Rankings emphasize academic reputation and employability, THE focuses on research and teaching, while U.S. News prioritizes student success and financial stability.
The following sections break down the methodologies used by each ranking body.
QS Ranking Methodology
QS World University Rankings assess universities based on research, employability, global engagement, learning experience, and sustainability. Academic reputation holds the most weight at 30%, followed by citations per faculty at 20%. Employer reputation and employment outcomes contribute 20%, making employability a significant factor.
Here’s the complete list:
Focus Area
Indicators
Weightage
Research and Discovery
Academic Reputation
30%
Citations per Faculty
20%
Employability and Outcomes
Employer Reputation
15%
Employment Outcomes
5%
Global Engagement
International Faculty Ratio
5%
International Research Network
5%
International Student Ratio
5%
International Student Diversity
0%
Learning Experience
Faculty Student Ratio
10%
Sustainability
Sustainability
5%
Now, let’s examine how THE Rankings evaluate universities.
THE Ranking Methodology
The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on teaching, research, international outlook, and industry engagement. Research reputation is the highest-weighted factor at 18%, while teaching reputation accounts for 15%. Research quality, including citation impact and research excellence, contributes 30% to the final score.
Here’s the full ranking methodology:
Focus Area
Indicators
Weightage
Teaching
Teaching Reputation
15%
Staff-to-student ratio
4.5%
Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio
2%
Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio
5.5%
Institutional income
2.5%
Research Environment
Research reputation
18%
Research income
5.5%
Research productivity
5.5%
Research Quality
Citation impact
15%
Research strength
5%
Research excellence
5%
Research influence
5%
International Outlook
Proportion of international students
2.5%
Proportion of international staff
2.5%
International collaboration
2.5%
Industry
Industry income
2%
Patents
2%
Let’s now look at the methodology used by U.S. News Rankings.
U.S. News Ranking Methodology
U.S. News & World Report rankings focus on graduation rates, financial stability, and faculty quality. Graduation and retention rates contribute 36.5%, reflecting student success. Financial resources, including faculty salaries and institutional investment, account for 19%.
Here’s the complete list of factors U.S. News Rankings take into account:
Focus Indicators
Weightage
Graduation Rates
16%
First-year retention rates
5%
Graduation rate performance
10%
Pell graduation rates
5.5%
Pell graduation performance
5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad
5%
Borrower debt
5%
Peer assessment
20%
Financial resources
8%
Faculty salaries
8%
Full-time faculty
3%
Student-faculty ratio
4%
Standardized tests
5%
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Here are the study abroad opportunities upGrad provide with Drexel University:
Wrapping up: Drexel University 2025 Ranking Analysis
Drexel University’s rankings present a moderate-to-strong academic standing, especially in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranks it 86th, an improvement from 98th in 2024, making it a solid mid-tier option in the U.S.
However, QS World University Rankings place it between 721-730, indicating weaker global recognition.
Program-wise, Materials Science (201-250 in QS) and Engineering (201-250 in THE) remain competitive. However, Drexel lags in global rankings due to employer perception and research influence.
Additional rankings, such as 54th by The Wall Street Journal and 29th for Innovation (U.S. News), highlight its strengths in applied education and research.
For students considering Drexel, it remains a viable choice, particularly for STEM fields, but those seeking top-ranked global institutions may explore alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Drexel University Tier 1?
Drexel University is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity, placing it among Tier 1 research institutions. This designation highlights its strong commitment to advanced research, faculty expertise, and high-impact academic contributions across multiple disciplines.
How does Drexel University perform in U.S. News Social Mobility Rankings 2025?
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report, Drexel University is tied for 92nd place in the "Top Performers on Social Mobility" category. This ranking reflects the university's efforts to support economically disadvantaged students in achieving academic success.
Should I pursue a master's degree from American University, Washington or Drexel?
Drexel University generally holds higher national rankings compared to American University. For instance, in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report, American University is ranked 91th nationally, whereas Drexel is 86th. This suggests that Drexel may offer a stronger overall academic reputation.
What's the ranking position of Drexel in U.S. News Best Value Schools 2025?
Drexel University is ranked 78th in the "Best Value Schools" category by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. This ranking considers the university's academic quality relative to the net cost of attendance for students receiving need-based financial aid.
Is Drexel University good for Indian students?
Drexel University offers a supportive environment for international students, including those from India. The university's cooperative education program allows students to gain valuable work experience during their studies, enhancing their career prospects. Additionally, Drexel's urban campus in Philadelphia provides a diverse cultural experience, which can be enriching for Indian students.
Is a degree in Physics and Astronomy from Drexel University equally good as one from the New Mexico State University?
Drexel University generally holds a higher ranking for physics and astronomy than New Mexico State University. According to QS World rankings, Drexel is ranked 401-450th globally, while New Mexico State University is at 451-500th. This suggests that a degree in physics and astronomy from Drexel may be better than one from New Mexico State University.
Is a Drexel degree worth it?
A degree from Drexel University can be a valuable investment. The cooperative education program allows students to gain up to 18 months of full-time paid work experience, enhancing employability. According to The Wall Street Journal, institutions like Drexel that offer such programs have seen increased popularity due to their career-oriented academic models.
Should I choose the University of Washington or Drexel for Psychology?
The University of Washington (UW) generally holds a higher ranking in psychology. In the 2025 THE rankings, UW's psychology program is ranked 43rd, while Drexel's is 251-300. This suggests that UW may provide a more robust psychology program.
Which institution is better for Mechanical Engineering: Drexel or RIT?
For Mechanical Engineering, Drexel's program is ranked between 401-450, whereas RIT's ranking is between 451-500 in QS Rankings. These rankings suggest that Drexel has a stronger Mechanical Engineering program compared to RIT.
Is Drexel a safe university?
Drexel University prioritizes campus safety through a dedicated police force that patrols the campus 24/7, supported by the Philadelphia Police Department. The university has implemented various safety measures, including blue light emergency call boxes, well-lit pathways, and security cameras across the campus.
Are Drexel's arts and humanities programs less competitive than its STEM programs?
Yes, Drexel University's arts and humanities programs are generally less competitive than its STEM programs. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, Drexel's arts and humanities are ranked 601+, while engineering is ranked 201-250.
All information provided on this page is for general use and upGrad Abroad is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Any action taken upon the information found on this website is strictly at your own risk.
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