Drexel University
Locations: PA-Philadelphia
Degrees: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorates
Programs: Economics, Mathematics, Art, Nursing, Media Arts (Film, Game Art, Graphic Design, Music Industry, etc.) and more (over 200 total)
Tuition Range: $32,300-$39,700
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Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is a large private school hosting over 23,500 students, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in about 200 fields of study. Of particular note within the university is the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, which offers a comprehensive selection of degree programs in numerous media- and art-related fields. These include Architecture, Animation, Film/Video, Music Industry, Television, Game Art, Entertainment & Arts Management, Screenwriting, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Interior Design and others.
While operating in a conventional college format (4-5 years for a bachelor’s degree), Drexel offers a couple of unique benefits. Many degree plans include a Co-op option which integrates actual, paid work experience with the student’s curriculum, building his/her resume while getting an education. Additionally, several majors offer an accelerated track based on academic achievement, in which the student can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously in less time than it would take to complete both individually. For all these benefits, however, expect to pay top dollar: between $32,300 and $39,700 per year, not including fees, room and board.
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Student Reviews
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is a large private school hosting over 23,500 students, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in about 200 fields of study. Of particular note within the university is the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, which offers a comprehensive selection of degree programs in numerous media- and art-related [...]
Review by Caroline F.
June 27, 2012 3.8I attended Drexel University, for Film/Video and just graduated. It definitely met my expectations in that I learned a lot about filmmaking and was able to network with a lot of good filmmakers. I ultimately think that that is a main goal of film school, even more so than taking any one class. I feel confident that I know people that will help me to write and direct films in the future and with whom I feel comfortable working with creatively.
It didn’t really meet my expectations in that there weren’t a lot of courses that applied specifically to my interests, and I felt that at a certain point, there wasn’t really anything left for me to learn from the professors. Once I worked on set with some of the faculty, I realized that many student films were better run than the set that they were trying to run; this put me on a path of feeling short-changed with my education. I don’t feel as negative about it now, but it makes me take opinions with a grain of salt — ultimately, I care more about what I and specific people feel about films that I work on than any arbitrary professor. I’m now embarking on life, post graudation. but given what I want to do (write/direct my own independent films, with no interest in working on set, and with the intention of furthering my education to become a professor as well as a filmmaker), it is upon myself to work on those projects. I have worked in the film industry while in school, though.
I would absolutely recommend it to people who want to go into technical fields such as editing, cinematography, sound, ect. As far as directing, I’m not sure that I would, even though I feel that I got a lot out of my education. There is a separate screenwriting department with which I have had mostly negative experiences, but I don’t feel that I know it well enough to make a real definitive recommendation on whether or not to consider it.
Would I do it over again? Ultimately, I think I would. Just maybe not at the same school. I’m planning on going to graduate school, but to focus more on film theory — my school was very technical, so I want to have a firm foundation on both production and studies.
My advice to those considering film school: work on as many projects as you can. Try as many positions as you can, but allow yourself time off if you feel burnt out. Film school can often make someone feel as if they have to be identified as a specific thing, but life is not that simple. Keep creating. And network — ultimately, that’s the biggest advantage of a film school education!
Debt Accrued: $5,001 - $10,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Kevin M.
June 8, 2012 4.8I graduated from Drexel University in the spring of 2012. I majored in film and video. I had a screenwriting minor, which I canceled at the last moment. And since then, I’ve been working as a freelance cinematographer, grip, electrician, lighting technician and such, in the film industry. I graduated with decent grades. I had a 3.7 GPA, not that it particularly matters in this industry.
In terms of meeting my expectations, I’m not even really sure what my expectations were going into film school. But I wanted to be a writer-director, and I was very, very happy with Drexel’s program, in terms of being hands-on, getting you on set, getting you making your own projects and working on other people’s projects. Just to work and work and work on your own time. It was the kind of program where you only got out of it what you put into it, like many art programs. But if you were very interested in film, I find that film school can be very rewarding. There’s a decent amount of people in film school who also don’t have really any concept of what they want to do whatsoever. So they’d choose film because, “Oh, that sounds like a fun major.’” They don’t really realistically think about how they’re going got make money doing what they’re doing.
I’ve managed to find work in the film industry. It was a little slow starting off, but the summer after I graduated, I was the cinematographer on two independent feature films back to back. I started gaffing a lot. I’ve gaffed seven features and I’ve shot up to four by now. So I’ve been trying to keep pretty busy. Keep in mind, this is mostly in Philadelphia, not in New York City or a larger film community. But I have managed to find work. And I don’t think film school is for everyone, but I do believe that if you have a specific personality, and you like to be in an environment where you like to network and talk to people and get their creative input on things and watch movies, write movies, do everything together, it’s very good for creating a community of that, giving constant feedback.
There’s definitely a few things I would do differently, but I think film school helped shape me into the filmmaker that I am today, and who I’m going to be. And I think that it was very valuable, and it certainly did teach me a lot, and give me a very broad, multifaceted, multidisciplinary education. And I’m very happy about that.
Debt Accrued: $10,001 - $25,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Duchess S.
April 14, 2011 5The co-op program is great but it is also what you make of it. If you are looking for free money and little to no effort, this is probably not the place for you. Students here are motivated, driven and striving for success. They know how to have fun at the same time get the most from their degree.
As an alumna, I definitely recommend people to check out the school. Yes, it’s pricey as most private institutions, but the cost is worth it if you take your time there seriously.
Review by Tom G.
September 4, 2008 3I never attended Drexel so I can only review based on my (rather extensive) experience with classwork/co-op through my girlfriend, her (our) friends, and the 30-odd co-ops at my company.
The co-op program is really great. It puts students in touch with some of the biggest and best companies in the area. Obviously, the value of working for a top accounting, finance, or engineering firm in a full-time capacity prior to finishing your undergrad is a huge bonus. The quality of co-ops varies, with some being paper pushing and others being actual learning opportunities.
The major drawbacks to Drexel, from what I’ve seen, are:
1) Lack of PhDs teaching.
2) Lack of challenging coursework.
3) Hideous campus.
4) Suitcase campus.
5) Name recognition only in Philly area with employers.
Lack of PhDs isn’t a bad thing for everyone. A PhD doesn’t guarantee a good teacher and a lack of a PhD doesn’t preclude one from being a great teacher. That being said, most non-PhDs (both in my experience and from those friends at Drexel) don’t tend to have the breadth of knowledge serious students expect from a professor. A master’s and/or years of job-related experience does not necessarily mean you’ll be able to explain how derivatives work or be able to answer more complex economic questions.
The classwork, at least compared to what I saw as an undergrad, is not difficult. Exams in even the most difficult of business classes are not comprehensive and require mostly regurgitation of basic principles. No applied learning is required. Same thing with the sciences and maths. I never took an engineering class so I can’t comment.
The campus appearance and the fact it empties out on the weekends are major complaints from students.
The name recognition issue is also one I’ve heard from people that are from areas outside of Philly. If they didn’t get big name co-ops (the Goldmans and the Deloittes) they have trouble finding a job since the employers don’t actively recruit Drexel and most Drexel grads stay in the Philly area from what I’m told.
Still, Drexel affords students opportunities at major companies that might not otherwise get that chance coming out of a Temple or a St. Joe’s. Graduating with a year and a half of full time experience can only be a good thing.
Review by Nicole E.
June 28, 2008 3I attended the Drexel iSchool for my masters and was a bit disappointed. I was hardly challenged and took many required classes that would never be of use in my future career.
That said, most of the professors I had were friendly and responsive. The staff was always friendly – even if they weren’t always helpful or knowledgeable.
I took classes online so I didn’t have to go onto campus, but I did go to campus a couple of times and the area is pretty nice as long as you don’t venture off campus … (this coming from someone who is not a city person).
As a librarian and a library student I can say that the library and library staff were awesome, helpful and forward thinkers!