Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1891, it is known for integrating classroom study with professional experience through its long-standing cooperative education (co-op) program, which allows students to complete paid, full-time work placements related to their fields of study. Drexel offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across disciplines including engineering, business, health sciences, design, media arts, and information science. The university operates primarily from its main campus in Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood. Students drawn to Drexel University often seek a career-focused education that combines academic theory with practical experience in urban and industry-connected settings.

Drexel University was founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. Established to provide practical education for a rapidly industrializing society, the institute initially focused on technical and vocational training. In 1914, Drexel began granting Bachelor of Science degrees, marking its transition into a degree-granting institution. The cooperative education program was formalized in 1919, embedding paid work experience into the academic curriculum. The institution was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936 as its academic offerings expanded, and in 1970 it became Drexel University. Over the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Drexel University broadened its research profile, added new colleges and professional schools, and expanded enrollment. Today, Drexel University remains closely associated with experiential learning and urban engagement in Philadelphia.