Drexel or Penn State: a better university in Pennsylvania?

Drexel University vs Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

Drexel University is a private research university in Philadelphia, provides an array of courses for international students including over 135 graduate programs and over 165 undergradute programs through 15 schools and colleges.Pennsylvania State University is the best university in the state of Pennsylvania in academics, research and graduate education, it ranks 93 in QS World University Rankings, 2023.

Overview Comparison
Drexel UniversityPennsylvania State University
Collegedunia Score4.9 Out of 105.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 711 QS World University 2026
# 351 Times Higher Education 2025
# 82 QS World University 2026
# 108 Times Higher Education 2026
# 57 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 74 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 79 for Law by US News 2025
# 31 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 118 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -10
PG Programs -36
UG Programs -163
PG Programs -116
Acceptance Rate78.0 %54.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-570
GRE-300
IELTS-6.5
PTE-60
SAT-1160
TOEFL-90
IELTS-6.5
SAT-1160
TOEFL-80
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   35912
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30195
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 6485 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   35984
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  38198
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 26664 Per Year
placement (average package)

Average salaries are listed below :

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

PhD: $150,0000- $158,000
MBA: $133,483
MS: $83,000
Around 42% of bachelors students were placed in the private sector (2018-19)


application requirements

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

Submit Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) along with application, SAT/ACT scores are also accepted as language proficiency proof. You may have to fulfill additional requriements as per the program.

Campuses and B-SchoolsNASmeal College of Business
CollegeDunia Reviews7.3/10 Read 16 reviews7.5/10 Read 18 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsDrexel UniversityPennsylvania State University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1891
1855
Student:Faculty Ratio9:1
15:1
Male:Female45% Male, 55% Female65% Male, 35% Female
Location Facts

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.


It has 24 campuses located throughout the state allowing students to explore the city while learning. University Park area is situated in located in State College and College township is located in Center Country.   


Library

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


Titles held: 7,240,616
Ebooks: 2,226,680
Volumes held: 8,647,496


Campus Life

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)


Engage in varsity athletics, 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, intramural clubs, Center for Spiritual and ethical development, LGBTQ resource center.  
Have your own creamery within the university- Berkey


Hostel#Housing - $4020
#On campus - $11280
#Off campus (not with family) - $11280
#Off campus (with family) - $4104
Famous Alumni

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).


Saquon Barkley (American Footballer), Adam Huber (Actor), Jerry Sandusky (football coach- America), Dan Bongino (American commentator), Safaa Al- Hashim (politician), Bo Nickal (Freestyle Wrestler). Alumni are famously called Nittany Lions.


City Life

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%


State College, Pennsylvania is the largest borough area. Downtown Improvement District and University Park are two major sections in State College. The neighborhood has Orchard Parks, West End, College Heights, South State College, and more. Penn State University is the largest employer followed by Mount Nittany Medical Center. You can enjoy art fests, dance night marathons, and more. 


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