Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, Drexel University is a private institution committed to providing students a strong, well-rounded education with a focus on work experience, research and technology. In fact, Drexel is considered Philadelphia’s technological university. In a nod to this technology-friendly reputation, Drexel was the first university requiring all students to have microcomputers–in 1983!
Furthermore, Drexel is known for its use of co-operative education as part of the undergraduate learning process. In 1919, a career-focused co-op program was founded, which was among the first of its kind in the U.S. Today, the program continues to excel as one of the country’s largest and most diverse. A majority of students complete an 18 month, full-time work experience relating to their specific academic interests during their undergraduate career. The system provides boundless hands-on academic opportunity for Drexel students; currently, students are employed by more than 1,500 businesses and organizations in 27 states and 12 countries through the co-op program.