Temple University vs Drexel University

Temple University vs Drexel University

Temple University is a large public research institution situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has approximately 37,000 students, featuring a solid international student population. Admissions are moderately selective, and the acceptance rate stands at approximately 83%. Business, Health Professions, Communication, Social Sciences, and Visual & Performing Arts are the most popular courses. The graduation rate is around 74%, and the median salary for Temple graduates stands at approximately INR 55,90,000 (equivalent to $67,000 median income ten years post-graduation).

Drexel University is a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It enrolls approximately 23,000 students. Drexel is famous for its cooperative education (co-op) program, which combines professional work experience with academic coursework. Admissions are selective, and the acceptance rate is around 78%. Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Nursing, and Design are some of the most popular majors. The graduation rate is roughly 70%, and median salary earned by Drexel graduates is roughly INR 63,00,000 (converting $75,500 median income a decade after graduation).

Overview Comparison
Temple UniversityDrexel University
Collegedunia Score4.9 Out of 104.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 721 QS World University 2026
# 351 Times Higher Education 2025
# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 711 QS World University 2026
# 351 Times Higher Education 2025
Subject Strength# 133 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 50 for Law by US News 2025
# 74 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 79 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -115
PG Programs -63
Doctorate Programs -1
UG Programs -10
PG Programs -36
Acceptance Rate83.0 %78.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-575
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-79
GMAT-570
GRE-300
IELTS-6.5
PTE-60
SAT-1160
TOEFL-90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   33792
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  41199
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 26866 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   35912
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30195
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 6485 Per Year
placement (average package)

Annual ROI:  6.6%; Average Annual Salary: 65,188 USD; Highest paying degree are MS: 172,000 USD; Executive MBA: 126,000 USD; MBA: 100,000 USD; BBA: 98,000 USD; Students are hired in human resources, executive management, sales and business development, insurance, and finance sectors.


Average salaries are listed below :

  • MBA : $121,000 
  • PhD : $97,000 
  • Masters in Science : $83,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $82,000 

application requirements

3 years of work experience in IT for admission in MS in Computer Science without GRE/GMAT; Statement of purpose, essays, portfolio

Academic transcripts; 2-3 LORs; Personal Statement/ Essays; Resume; Standardized test scores; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional requirements (research papers, work experience, etc.)

CollegeDunia Reviews7.2/10 Read 14 reviews7.3/10 Read 16 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 103 for Computer Science by US News 2025
# 251 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 451 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
# 88 for Computer Science by US News 2025
# 601 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 651 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120
application datesAug 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake)
Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake)
Oct 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsTemple UniversityDrexel University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1884
1891
Student:Faculty Ratio12:1
9:1
Male:Female50% Male, 50% Female45% Male, 55% Female
Location Facts

University has six campuses in Pennsylvania and two campuses outside USA in Rome and Japan; Main Campus, Health Sciences Campus, and Center City is in North Philadelphia; other campuses are in Ambler and Harrisburg


Three Philadelphia campuses and other regional sites; spreads across over 96 acres of lush green land; University City Campus (main campus)- located west of one of the nation’s most dynamic transportation hubs, 30th Street Station.


Library

3 libraries: Main, Law and Health Sciences Center Library; Titles: 4,266,699; Volumes (print and electronic): 5,000,649; Electronic books: 1,888,169; Databases: 709; Total expenditure: 24,614,082 USD (as of June 30, 2019)


four physical locations; 2 million items; over 1 million visits to physical libraries; over 6,000 reference consultations.


Campus Life

More than 100 on-campus clubs and organizations related to various fields such as educational, artistic, cultural, political, etc; University’s own newspaper, yearbook and radio station for students interested in the field of communication; Liacouras Center for extra-curricular activities such as sports, concerts, etc; University also has a theatre


Over 300 student clubs and organizations; 30+ fraternities and sororities; 33 club sports teams; International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS); counseling centers for health and fitness; Recreational facilities- Buckley Green, Buckley Recreational Field, Daskalakis Athletic Center, Recreation Center, Tennis Courts, Vidas Athletic Complex, etc.; WKDU (student-run FM radio station); The Triangle (University newspaper)


Hostel#On Campus - $10082
#On campus - $8392
#On Campus - $8392
#Housing - $4020
Famous Alumni

Bill Cosby (standup comedian, actor, author); Aaron Shikler (presidential portrait painter); Bob Saget (standup comedian, actor, television host and author); Jai Gulati (CEO of Systel); Ben Bova (science fiction author); Daryl Hall (singer); John Oates (singer); Irvin Kershner (director, actor and producer); Diplo (DJ and songwriter); 


Norman Joseph Woodland (Inventor of barcode); Paul Baran (American-Polish engineer, inventor of packet switching); Malik Rose (American basketball player); Susan Seidelman (American film director); Alassane Ouattara (President of the Ivory Coast); Paul W. Richards (American engineer, former NASA astronaut); Violet Oakley (American artist); Katherine McNamara (American actress); Harry S. Sidhu (Mayor of Anaheim since 2018).


City Life

Philadelphia was the 6th most populated city of USA as per 2019; it is the largest city of Pennsylvania; City is famous for cheesesteaks and its Italian Market is the world’s oldest and largest outdoor market; Economy is majorly dependant on the manufacturing of ships, iron, chemicals, lumber, oil, textiles, glass, steel, and coal; Unemployment rate was 7.1% in March 2020


Philadelphia- top ten largest metropolitan areas; referred to as "the city of neighborhoods"; 6th most populated cities in USA; home to 5 Fortune 1000 companies; birthplace of the United States Marine Corps; Popular tourist attractions- Independence National Historical Park, Liberty Bell Pavilion, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Arts, Reading Terminal Market, etc.; Unemployment rate- 4.1%


Weather
Comparison Notes

Temple University vs Drexel University

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Temple University, a public research university based in Philadelphia, is ranked at around 721-730 (QS 2026). It is particularly renowned for health sciences, law, business, education, and the arts. The Lewis Katz School of Medicine and the Fox School of Business are both nationally renowned.
Drexel University, another private research institution in Philadelphia, is slightly higher at around 711-720(QS 2026). It is specifically known for its engineering, business, computing, health sciences, and design programs, as well as its co-op education model integrating work and study experience.

General Information

Temple University has approximately 37,000 students, with approximately 3,000 of those being foreign students, and provides more than 500 programs. It is a state-related public institution that balances accessibility with research-based instruction.
Drexel University has around 23,000 students, including 3,500+ international students, and is known for its experiential learning approach through its famous cooperative education program, providing students with professional workplace placements as part of their degree.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Temple University has a moderately selective admissions policy with an estimated acceptance rate of approximately 83%, though highly competitive schools like medicine, law, and business are more selective.
Drexel University is slightly more selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 78%, although competitive admissions standards apply to engineering, business, design, and health sciences majors. 

Research Impact & Facilities

Temple is an R1 (very high research activity) institution, and there is a great deal of research in medicine, pharmacy, education, and social sciences. There is also one of the largest professional schools in the U.S. for dentistry, medicine, and law.
Drexel is an R1 research university also, with specific strengths in engineering, nanotechnology, computing, and biomedical research. Its co-op program is partnered with extensive industry partnerships, enabling students to bridge academia and professional practice.

Cost & Financial Assistance

Temple University: Out-of-state and international students pay approximately $32,000–$35,000 annually in tuition. There are various scholarships, need-based assistance, and international student awards offered by the university.Drexel University: Tuition rates are greater, averaging some $58,000 annually. Most students, however, get scholarships or grants, which lower net expenses. Merit awards, particularly for international students, are offered by Drexel as well.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Temple graduates excel in healthcare, law, business, and education and are often employed in Philadelphia and the overall Northeast U.S. They also include the leaders in politics, healthcare, and media.Drexel graduates are very employable as a result of the co-op program, which frequently results in job offers. Alumni are strong in engineering, technology, healthcare, and business, and Drexel's graduates have one of the highest early career average salaries at private U.S. universities.