Drew University, a national liberal arts university located in Madison, New Jersey, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew combines the benefits of small town living and big city amenities with its beautiful, wooded, 186-acre campus just a 50 minute train ride to New York City.
The College of Liberal Arts values community service and activism, and confers bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 disciplines. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees.
Drew has a total enrollment of more than 1,500 undergraduate students and 145 full-time faculty members. Among faculty members, 94 percent hold the terminal degree in their field. The College does not require standardized test scores from applicants.
Overall, 94 percent of Drew alumni graduated in four years and 94 percent are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. This is one reason why Drew is ranked among the “Best Bang for the Buck” colleges by Washington Monthly.
Drew is dedicated to exceptional faculty mentorship, connecting the campus with the community and experiential learning. Noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include:
- The Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), home of 2015 Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine and Drew Fellow William Campbell. This one-of-a-kind program brings industrial scientists to campus, continuing their research with Drew students.
- The Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI).
- The Civic Scholars Program which includes a scholarship for service.
- Baldwin Honors Program.
- New York City semesters focusing on Wall Street, the United Nations, Contemporary Art, Theatre, Social Entrepreneurship and Communications and Media.
- Several international short term and semester programs.
- Combined degree opportunities in engineering with Columbia, Business with Wake Forest, Environmental and Forestry advanced degrees with Duke, and others in law, medicine, teaching, nursing, and software engineering.
Drew’s founding mission includes a commitment to multiculturalism and diversity. Both the curriculum and student activities reflect these values, which helps prepare students for success in an increasingly complex world.
School History
Drew was established in 1867 as the first Methodist seminary in the United States. In 1928, a gift led to the addition of the College of Liberal Arts, which began as a small college for men, became coeducational during the 1940s and grew significantly in the 1960s. In the early 1980s, Drew was granted what is still only the fourth Phi Beta Kappa chapter in the state. The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, which is devoted to advanced study in the humanities, opened in 1955. The University celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2017.
Drew University is accredited by the Middle States Association on Higher Education. The Theological School is also individually accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
Academics
Drew’s academic programs serve as foundational building blocks for success. Their top-ranked undergraduate academic programs include 34 majors, 59 minors, 9 combined-degree programs and pre-professional programs in law, medicine, and engineering. They also offer students the freedom to customize their education with a ‘Build Your Own Degree’ program.
Hands-on experience is emphasized and required at Drew. Students live what they learn through the university’s New York City programs, out-of-classroom requirements, internship opportunities and many study abroad offerings. Drew is named as one of the nation’s Colleges That Create Futures: 50 Schools that Launch Careers by Going Beyond the Classroom by The Princeton Review.
Drew University faculty members play a major role in each student’s academic journey. The faculty mentorship program allows students to be matched with a professor willing to help direct them toward greater success. On this front, The National Science
Foundation survey of earned doctorates ranks Drew #17 in science doctorates, #27 in psychology doctorates, and #44 in the country for its graduates earning doctorates per 100 graduates.
Drew University created a Master in Finance program to enable students to go deep into the study of both quantitative and analytic methods commonly used in the finance sector. Combining classroom study with internships gives the Drew students the opportunity to put their new skills to work in a hands-on environment. And, because of the university’s proximity to New York City, students will see finance in action through visit to alternative investment firms, regulator offices and firms focused on financial ethics.
Drew is renowned for its individualized approach to education, evident in their robust advising program, which begins the summer before a student’s first semester and continues for life.
Campus Life
Drew University provides a safe community and vibrant campus life for students, showcasing a variety of student fine and performing arts shows, lectures from internationally acclaimed speakers and festivals right on campus grounds. With service and social responsibility a part of Drew’s ethos, there are plenty of activities that involve both school and community responsibilities. The majority of students live on campus and the campus community is close-knit.
As a Division III School, Drew offers 20 varsity sports for women and men including fencing, equestrian, lacrosse, tennis, swimming and golf. Student athletes represent 25 percent of the college community.
Drew University provides a wide array of dining options at multiple locations, including the recently renovated Commons dining hall. Students also have access to health, fitness and wellness centers on campus. Just a ten-minute walk from campus, the train to New York City transports students to world-class academic, professional, cultural and entertainment options.
Financial Aid
Drew University is committed to assisting students unable to afford the full cost of college education. All admitted students are considered for various merit-based scholarships, as well as need-based grants, loans and student employment. There are specific scholarships for students in the arts, as well as the Civic Scholars and Baldwin Honors programs. Eight out of ten students receive grants and scholarships. LendEDU places Drew in the top 20 percent of schools nationwide with the lowest student debt upon graduation.
The Office of Financial Aid at Drew University assists students with loan qualifications and financial aid documents. Staff members consult and support students and answer questions regarding tuition and financial assistance. Drew University is dedicated to providing the most reliable resources for students to make the college experience both educationally and financially beneficial.
For the 2018-19 academic year, Drew University is reducing its tuition by 20 percent, to 2010 levels. The new tuition will be $38,688, almost $10,000 lower than the tuition charged in 2017-18. Drew is a taking this action to narrow the gap between the price charged and what many students pay after financial aid. Recent research shows that half of all families eliminate a college from consideration based on list price alone. Drew wants students to look at what it has to offer first, and then to determine if the value, at the new price or after financial aid, is worth the investment.
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What Students Say about Drew University
“I’m a rising junior at Drew and I love it. This school has changed my life. My profs are supportive of my research. I probably wouldn’t get this level of support at a state school. Drew has been good to me. No complaints to speak of.”
– Junior, Political Science Major
“I love Drew. I am a junior. Drew has it all. I am pretty challenged here and there are lots of opportunities. I’m a business major and intern in NYC. I love it because it has given me an opportunity to meet people who are in finance. The campus is nice also. Great experience overall.”
– Junior, Business Major
“I am in my second year at Drew and I have to say that this school has really helped me figure out my future path. I am an economics major and I am hoping to attend law school after I graduate. Drew offers its students a lot of programming and promotes student led organizations. The college itself is small, but there is always something to do on campus. The coursework has been challenging and gratifying. There are many opportunities to do research as well. Overall, I am very happy here.”
– Sophomore, Economics Major
“Drew was an interesting place to go to college. I received a good education at Drew. The campus is nice. Lots of trees. Park-like setting. The education is good, and the people are friendly. Good theater department. Good bio program. Good college overall. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a small college with lots of interaction and opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. I had a few internships there which landed me in finance. Spend a day on campus and get a feel for the college. Overall, I think it is a great place.”
– Alumnus
