Drake University Quick Facts
| Duration: 2-4 Years | Courses: 63 | Faculty: 46 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 175 | Acceptance Rate: 48% | Est. Class Size: 75 |
Program Description
Drake University’s four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) prepares students for successful careers in community pharmacy practice, institutional pharmacy practice, post-graduate education and many other opportunities for practicing pharmacists. Our PharmD program places a distinct emphasis on developing entrepreneurial leaders committed to advancing the pharmacy profession. Through a curriculum rich with high impact teaching practices, students become capable communicators, problem solvers and decision makers with competence in professional, team-based, patient-centered care, health promotion, practice management, advocacy, self-learning and teaching. Nationally recognized student organizations and professional fraternities provide avenues for professional development and leadership.
For information about our admission requirements and process, please visit https://www.drake.edu/pharmacy/doctorofpharmacy/pharmdadmission/ https://www.drake.edu/pharmacy/doctorofpharmacy/pharmdadmission/.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- No Baccalaureate Required
- $350 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Letters of Reference are not required
- Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Drake University
48%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 48%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Drake University graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 85.2% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 80.9% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 80.6% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition: | $44,082 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $428 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: No minimum | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 64 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 27 |
| Total number of college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 85 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General (Inorganic) Chemistry: A complete year course sequence is required. Courses must fulfill the prerequisite requirements for organic chemistry. Labs are required. | 8/12 |
| Organic Chemistry: A complete year course sequence is required. Labs are required. | 8/12 |
| Biological Sciences: A complete year course sequence is required. Must include topics in human anatomy. Additional courses may include ecology, evolution, anatomy/physiology, cell biology, and biological diversity/structure. Labs are required. | 8/12 |
| Microbiology: A one-semester course in microbiology is required. A course intended for health care majors is recommended. A lab is not required. | 3/5 |
| Statistics: A one-semester course in general statistics is required. Business statistics, psychology statistics, or biological science statistics courses are accepted. | 3/5 |
| Calculus: A one-semester course in calculus is required. Business calculus, applied calculus, or calculus courses designed for the social sciences are accepted. | 3/5 |
| English Composition: Two courses in college-level writing or composition are required. The courses can be composition courses or have robust writing requirements or assignments. | 6/9 |
| Public Speaking: A one-semester course focused on public speaking is required. Students may submit non-public speaking courses for syllabus review if the course contains a robust classroom presentation component. | 3/5 |
| General Electives: 22 semester credit hours in general electives are required; Drake requires students to complete a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate coursework (at least 64 credit hours). | 22/33 |
| Total | 64 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available; science courses without labs: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available; non-science courses: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available.
Completion timing: All required courses must be completed by the end of the summer term prior to entering the PharmD program.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Letters of recommendation are not required.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Online interview option: Yes
Applicants with strong applications and academic credentials will be invited to complete a required virtual or on-campus admission interview. Students who are invited to complete the second phase of the admission process will be notified via email.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
First day of classes: August 30, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? No
Pharmacy observation hours required? No
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? Yes
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS AND Send an original foreign transcript directly to the school
TOEFL required: Yes
Contact Information
Website: https://www.drake.edu/pharmacy/
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrakeCPHS/ | Instagram @DrakeCPHS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Drake University?
The acceptance rate is approximately 48%, so qualified applicants have a reasonable path in.
What is the tuition at Drake University?
Expect roughly $44,082 in first-year tuition regardless of residency, per the AACP’s most recent survey.
What GPA do you need to get into Drake University?
Drake University does not publish a hard GPA minimum; applications are reviewed holistically, with prerequisite grades carrying the most weight.
What is Drake University’s PharmCAS deadline?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by June 1, 2027 through PharmCAS.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at Drake University?
A bachelor’s degree is not required; finishing the prerequisites is what counts at Drake University. The PharmD itself takes four years.
How do Drake University’s graduates do on the NAPLEX?
85.2% of Drake University’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.