ROTC at Drake University
Des Moines, IA · private nonprofit
Yes, through cross-town: Drake University students join Army and Air Force ROTC at Iowa State University.
Cross-town & partner options
Drake University students can also join these branches. They travel to the partner school for training.
Army ROTCCross-town · 29.4 miCross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Air Force/Space Force ROTCCross-town · 29.4 miCross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Iowa State University.
ROTC outcomes
Students at Drake University in ROTC, from any branch and any unit. Averages per academic year, AY2011–AY2021.
- About 2.5 officers commissioned per year, all services
- About 5.6 students start ROTC here each year
Source: GAO, GAO-23-105857 (campus data, AY2011–AY2021). GAO counted cadets and commissions by the school the student attended. Numbers for recent years can differ.
Admissions
| Admission rate | 64% |
|---|---|
| SAT range (25th–75th) | 1,110–1,350 |
| ACT range (25th–75th) | 24–29 |
| Test policy | Test-optional |
These are the most recent College Scorecard figures. The school decides admission. An ROTC scholarship board judges your academics on its own, in a separate process.
Cost & financial aid (with ROTC)
| In-state tuition | $52,130 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,130 |
| Average net price | $32,000 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 74% |
Tuition and net price: College Scorecard. You can usually combine an ROTC scholarship with other aid from Drake University. Ask the unit and the financial aid office to confirm how the aid combines.
Academic programs
Drake University has 2,543 undergraduates. ROTC cadets can study almost any major. Some scholarships and commissioning options prefer certain fields.
Yellow Ribbon & veteran support
Yellow Ribbon is a GI Bill benefit for veterans and eligible dependents, not an ROTC scholarship. The school pays part of the tuition above the GI Bill cap, and VA matches it.
Yellow Ribbon: Drake University takes part. Undergraduate contributions have no dollar cap.
| Level | Program | School pays (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All programs | Unlimited |
| Graduate | All programs | Unlimited |
| Doctorate | All programs | Unlimited |
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool, checked Oct 14, 2026. Confirm amounts with the school's veterans office before you enroll.
ROTC at Drake University: FAQ
Does Drake University have ROTC?
Yes, through cross-town: Drake University students join Army and Air Force ROTC at Iowa State University.
Which ROTC branches can Drake University students join?
Army ROTC (cross-town at Iowa State University, 29 mi) and Air Force ROTC (cross-town at Iowa State University, 29 mi).
Is ROTC at Drake University on campus or cross-town?
Army and Air Force ROTC are cross-town: cadets enroll at Drake University and train with the unit at Iowa State University.
School links and location
These links belong to Drake University. To ask about an ROTC program, open that program above and use the unit's own contact details. ROTCScholar is not the school and not the unit.
- Official site
drake.edu
- Admissions
drake.edu
- Financial aid
drake.edu
- Net price calculator
Estimate your cost before ROTC money is applied
Location: Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
IPEDS UNITID: 153269
Something wrong on this page? Report a correction.
ROTCScholar is an independent directory. We are not an ROTC unit, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military. Check details with the unit before you act on them.