<p>Why do you pay this much?</p>
<p>I’d like to hear some answers to this also. Drexel seems to be a good school and US News and World Reports ranks it as #88 in the category of “National Universities”. But really, it’s not in the top 10 and most people I know here in New England have never heard of it. I did visit Drexel with my son and I liked the school but it didn’t “wow” me. My son liked the school also, but was much more impressed with nearby Temple. Out of state tuition, room and board, at Temple is about $35,000 (2011-2012). While Temple ranks at #132 in “National Universities”, it does seem like bargain when compared with Drexel. I’ve pretty much told my son to forget about Drexel- it just doesn’t seem worth taking on that much debt, especially since we do not expect to receive any financial aid.</p>
<p>I am not sure where the 60K number comes from but perhaps that is the cost of 4 year program?</p>
<p>I calculated the cost of the 5 year coop program to be 48K/year including room and board; as you may be aware that includes 3 six-month coops and drexel says that the average coop earnings are $14-$17 per coop depending upon your major.</p>
<p>i think a substantial number of students at Drexel also receive merit aid which brings down the price. My D received a $12/K per year merit award which would bring the annual cost to about $36K/yr. So the actual cost of a Drexel education does vary depending upon how much merit you are awarded.</p>
<p>For those of you who are from out of state, I should tell you that the Drexel name is very well known in this area and respected as a high quality academic institution (and I would venture to say if you asked people around here which is the “better” school between Temple and Drexel most people would say Drexel). Drexel is constantly in the news and is raising its profile and prestige nationally. It recently entered a strategic partneship with the Academy of Natural Sciences and built a brand new science buidling. A new business school is in the construction phase.
Here are a few examples of recent news stories about Drexel:</p>
<p>[Changing</a> Skyline: Biology central | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/12/2011](<a href=“http://www.philly.com/philly/home/20110812_Changing_Skyline__Biology_central.html]Changing”>Changing Skyline: Biology central)</p>
<p>[Drexel</a>, Academy of Natural Sciences to join forces - Philly.com](<a href=“Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes”>Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes)</p>
<p>[Real</a> estate magnate donating $15 million to Drexel to help improve its community - Philly.com](<a href=“Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes”>Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes)</p>
<p>It is also worthwhile to point out when comparing Drexel to Temple that Drexel is private where Temple is public and depends for a portion of its budget on state aid. State aid to Temple and other PA state-related universities was reduced by 20% in the most recent budget (initially 50% cut was proposed but reduced to 20% after outcry against the size of the cuts) and the governor recently imposed a further 5% cutback in the face of weak revenue.</p>
<p>Drexel is very well respected school in this region. With their coop program, internships, and highly regarded reputation, graduates come out with excellent jobs. I agree with pa59mom in terms of Drexel vs Temple, (not to take anything away from Temple though). Temple is also a third tier school.</p>
<p>This is from the Drexel website ([Tuition</a> and Fees | Undergraduate Admissions | Drexel University](<a href=“http://drexel.edu/undergrad/financing/break-down/]Tuition”>http://drexel.edu/undergrad/financing/break-down/))</p>
<p>Tuition, Fees, Housing, and Meal Plan Costs
Costs for new students entering in the 2012-2013 academic year: </p>
<p>Three Co-op Option
(5 Years)
Tuition $33,800
Fees $2,300
Housing $8,430-$9,570
Meal Plan $5,490-$5,745
Total $50,020-$51,415 </p>
<p>One Co-op Option/No Co-op Option (4 Years)<br>
Tuition $41,500
Fees $2,300
Housing $8,430-$9,570
Meal Plan $5,490-$5,745
Total $57,720-$59,115 </p>
<p>The original poster is correct that it costs almost 60K/year. Yes, the yearly fee is less for a 5 year, but then you have to add that extra year’s costs. My husband works in academia and he also states that Drexel, at this point in time, is not well known. It does sound like Drexel is trying to change that, but it’s not there yet.</p>
<p>If my son were Ivy League material, I would probably invest that money. But even Harvard and Yale charge only a little more than $52,00 (2011-12). What does Drexel have that it charge that much? There are plenty of other schools out there that are just as good or better and charge a lot less.</p>
<p>The fact that Harvard has a 35 billion dollar endowment and Drexel has less than 1 billion might be at least a small part of the reason why Drexel has to charge so much for tuition.</p>
<p>tomofboston- you’re probably right. But, I think Northeastern University is similar to Drexel as far as the endowment goes, and Northeastern is 51,000/year. That’s a lot of money too, but when you are footing the whole bill, it makes a difference.
I really am sincere in wanting to know why Drexel would be worth almost $60K/year. What makes it stand out over similar schools? As orcaaa originally asked- “Why do you pay this much?”</p>
<p>Anyone who is researching and visiting colleges has heard of Drexel. Any business or company using interns or coop students has heard of Drexel. I live New England and when I say my son or daughter attends Drexel, I have never had someone ask, “Where is that?” </p>
<p>Our kids chose Drexel for its coop program. They are earning more money in their coops (which they use to offset college expenses, etc.) than what they would coming back home during the summer and working at a minimum wage job at donut shop or big box retail store. Because the economy is still lousy, particularly for teens, the coop program is a great opportunity. They will have a lot of experience to put on their resumes.</p>
<p>Also, after freshman year, my kids rented an apartment, right next to campus, which was less expensive than campus housing. The process of renting an apartment is not difficult at Drexel. University City is student friendly, unlike some other universities located in the middle of nowhere, economically depressed cities or have harsh, long winters. </p>
<p>Finally, Drexel has career oriented majors that you cannot find at other universities. Sometimes, it is just not where you go to school (ivy league is the exception) but what is your major that determines success.</p>
<p>Drexel also gives out A LOT of scholarships. Almost everyone I know here has some sort of scholarship. Mine significantly cut down my tuition to make it very affordable. If you don’t get any merit aid at Drexel, then I wouldn’t recommend paying full price to come here. </p>
<p>Also, nix the meal plan after the first year, and move off-campus to an apartment as well. You’ll save a good chunk of money by doing so.</p>
<p>@sarahjudith: What about Drexel’s FAFSA-based aid?</p>
<p>Since my kids did not qualify for need-based aid at Drexel or any other university, I cannot provide information about need-based aid. Therefore I was grateful Drexel gave my kids decent merit-based aid – including credits for filling out the FAFSA early and reimbursement of travel expenses for one visit. These one-time credits are awarded only if your kid attends Drexel.</p>
<p>It was nice to get $1000K to fill out the FAFSA, something I was going to do anyway.</p>
<p>College just like clothes: never pay list price.</p>
<p>Today my son received his acceptance to Drexel. Nothing I have read on this site has convinced me that Drexel, at almost $60,000, is a good buy, especially since we will not receive need based financial aid. I do not expect a merit scholarship since my son’s grades are good, but not great. We are considering Quinnipiac, $51,800 in 2012-2013. Also a lot of money, but at least $32,000 (over 4 years) cheaper than Drexel. Again, if Drexel was a top national university, maybe it would be worth the money. But it’s not, and I am not convinced it is a good enough school to go in debt over.</p>
<p>What is the maximum amount of scholarship that Drexel can give to a student?</p>
<p>Just so everyone is comparing apples to apples, a double occupancy room for a freshman is $8,430, so when you add that to 2012-2013’s $43,800 for tuition and fees and $5,745 for the most expensive meal plan, the total is $57,975 (for a 4 year program).</p>
<p>So, that would be $24,700 over 4 years more than Quinnipiac, not $32,000.</p>
<p>Still a lot, but you may get a merit scholarship. Wait and see.</p>
<p>Don’t know what your S is interested in, but Drexel is really strong in some areas - engineering and computer science just to name two.</p>
<p>Good luck to your S wherever he goes.</p>
<p>You’re right , dadinator. On it’s website, Drexel lists a range of $57,720-$59,115. It really seems like a lot of money. We visited Drexel and it seemed like a nice school, I am just unwilling to let us get in so much debt when there seems to be so many cheaper, but just as good, other options.</p>
<p>Competely understand.</p>
<p>I just remember that a few years ago, when my S was applying (he ended up going somewhere else), that he got a rather good sized merit schoarlship. If I remember correctly, I think it was above $15,000 a year for each year in the 5-year program (maybe $17,000 a year).</p>
<p>If your S was to get something like that, then that is one thing; if he does not get a large merit scholarship, then that changes the picture.</p>
<p>$57,000 or $59,000 a year just for tuition, fees, room and board is really steep. Throw on books, travel, personal expenses, etc. and you go right over $60,000.</p>
<p>I really can’t argue with your logic.</p>
<p>I will repeat:
Most students that come to Drexel have a sizable merit scholarship. The best students get >$20,000/year. This helps make Drexel affordable. If you don’t get a scholarship, it’s not worth it. Too expensive, IMO - go somewhere cheaper.</p>
<p>I’m not agree on most parts, my D wants to go for premed at the school of medicine of Drexel is on the top 20, I belived it’s depended what your S wants to major. We already have everything ready and we don’t see the $60,000 for her tuition. She have a Merritt scholarship by the end we don’t have to pay that much, but for sure it’s not $60,000</p>
<p>Remember though that you have to maintain a 3.0 gpa to keep your merit scholarship. That may be difficult in engineering and CS, so then after 1 year a student could be forced into full-price…</p>