Co-op Results

The benefits of Drexel Co-op are obvious. Not only are Drexel students financially ahead of their peers, but they also have the practical foundation needed in order to attend some of the top graduate schools in the country.

Drexel Co-op Earnings

Drexel Co-op puts students ahead financially both in the short-term and the long-term.

Short-Term Benefit

Co-op earnings serve as an additional source of income, which can be used to help pay for tuition or living expenses. This amount will vary based upon the co-op position, its location, and the duration of co-op employment. Salaries vary by position and field, but the average Drexel Co-op salary is $14,512 per six-month period.

Note: Following the first period of co-op employment, you will see a change in the estimated family contribution (EFC), which is used to determine one's level of eligibility for federal and institutional need-based aid. We advise students to set aside a portion (approximately two-thirds) of co-op earnings to supplement any decrease in financial aid that results from co-op employment.

Long-Term Benefit

Because you will have gained the real-world know-how and professional skills that come with Drexel Co-op, it is likely that you will be hired at a higher salary level than most college graduates when it's time to begin a career. Aside from the obvious benefits of a higher salary, an additional benefit is that your earning capability can help you with a more timely payment of any loans incurred while at Drexel. Take a look at the average starting salaries of Drexel students in comparison to averages reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):

College or School Average Starting Salary Offer NACE Average
Arts and Sciences   $39,418 $35,214
Engineering   $55,620 $53,887
Professional Studies   $46,583 $38,249

Graduate Study

Many Drexel students choose to continue their education at the graduate level, and nothing looks better on an admission application than a Drexel Co-op experience. Schools that have accepted Drexel students include:

  • Dartmouth
  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Duke University
  • Harvard
  • Jefferson Medical College
  • MIT
  • New Jersey Medical College (UMDNJ)
  • New York University
  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Princeton
  • Temple University School of Medicine
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Pennsylvania

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains statistics and other career-related information on a variety of occupations. Students can read about the projected growth of industries, salary surveys, and job outlook.