Newly released 2025 Economic and Community Impact Report details strong numbers
In a newly released 2025 Economic and Community Impact Report, Drake’s total annual economic impact was $424.1 million during 2025. This comprehensive analysis underscores the University’s commitment to being an engaged higher educational institution — serving not just as a center for academic excellence, but as an anchor institution to Central Iowa and a vital engine for local and statewide prosperity.
“For decades, our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and fans have contributed extensively to the prosperity of our vibrant neighborhood and the state we proudly call home — not just from an economic standpoint, but through hundreds of thousands of hours of community service each year,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “We are proudly ‘of our place’ and driven by our inspiration statement — that together, we transform lives and strengthen communities.”
Annual Tax Revenue Generated
The University’s economic impact is a direct investment in public services provided at the city, county, and state levels. This includes $12.6 million in annual tax revenue for the City of Des Moines, $4.5 million supporting Polk County, $10.8 million for the State of Iowa, $9.8 million supporting the Des Moines Public School district, and $10.1 million supporting other districts.
A Destination for Visitors
Drake University continues to be a major tourism draw for the metro area, attracting nearly 268,000 visitors who accounted for 283,588 visitor days in 2025. This resulted in an estimated $31.9 million in visitor spending, including:
● $12.5 million from various campus visitors
● $12 million generated by athletic events
● $7.3 million specifically from the Drake Relays
● $7.5 million spent on local lodging
Rooted in Community Service
The University’s influence extends beyond financial figures through its deep commitment to service. Drake students and faculty engaged in 246,382 hours of volunteerism, community service, and pro-bono client work; a contribution estimated to be valued at $11.2 million. Key service highlights include:
● 110,699 hours in clinical health services
● 81,890 hours in student teaching and counseling internships
● 24,590 hours through the Drake Legal Clinic
● 9,495 hours of pro-bono communication and PR work
● 1,407 hours of small business consulting
Powering Iowa’s Workforce: “Brain Gain”
Drake also acts as a critical talent pipeline for the state, effectively reversing the regional trend of “brain drain.” While 43% of the student body came from Iowa in this time period, the University’s deep community roots inspired them to stay, with 57% of all Drake graduates choosing to launch their careers here in Iowa. These graduates form a vital part of Iowa’s economic foundation. With more than 27,000 alumni currently in the workforce in Iowa, their careers and consumer power add an estimated $6 billion to Iowa’s GDP every year.
About the Report
The fiscal year 2025 impact analysis was prepared by Impact DataSource, LLC, in collaboration with Drake University. The study utilized the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II) to calculate the university’s total influence on jobs, earnings, and value-added economic activity. Click here to download the full report.