Drew University (Madison, NJ)

[Anonymous]

My son has Drew on his list and I don't know much about the school. The campus looks nice and I see it is in proximity to NYC. He would be involved on an athletic team and is interested in pursuing a cybersecurity degree. It looks like he would be offered a generous amount of merit based on his GPA and test scores. Any personal experiences with the school would be welcomed! We'll be visiting in September for a recruit weekend.

[Anonymous]

My DH is an alum, my oldest is there now, and one of our close friends, another alum, helped design the cybersecurity degree. I’m obviously biased but this is a great little school in a terrific walkable suburb and my kid has had a very good experience so far. Drew spent a few years in the wilderness with a couple of bad presidents but the current one is very good and it’s on the way back up in the rankings. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I’ll try to answer them.

[Anonymous]

I initially had it on my student’s list but I think Drew is really struggling financially.

[Anonymous]

I live pretty close. They have a great Shakespeare theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I initially had it on my student’s list but I think Drew is really struggling financially.

With an endowment of well over $100 million and only 2200 students that would be an exaggeration

[Anonymous]

it’s a hidden gem in an affluent suburb of NJ - comparable in terms of rising stature and feel to Fairfield U in Ct (without the religious affiliation). Less than an hour train to midtown NYC and very decent placement given small size - punches well above its weight

[Anonymous]

This is the OP- thank you all! I really appreciate the feedback and first hand experiences. We’re excited to see the school in person next month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I initially had it on my student’s list but I think Drew is really struggling financially.

With an endowment of well over $100 million and only 2200 students that would be an exaggeration

Not sure how Drew’s financial health scored in 2025 and 2024 as there’s a paywall, but Forbes rated it a “D” in 2023. We are using these metrics to help create a list. It seems like a great school with a lot of positives, but this is a legitimate area of concern. I also saw Drew on a list of schools at risk of closure in the coming years based on finances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it’s a hidden gem in an affluent suburb of NJ - comparable in terms of rising stature and feel to Fairfield U in Ct (without the religious affiliation). Less than an hour train to midtown NYC and very decent placement given small size - punches well above its weight

Decent comparison. Also less striver-y than Fairfield. Drew doesn't seem to mind flying under the radar (which has its plusses and minuses). Fairfield seems to be on the modified Northeastern plan.

[Anonymous]

Didn't James van der Beek go there? That's what I know about Drew.

[Anonymous]

Drew recently sold a huge parcel of its land as part of its plan to remain financially viable. Time will tell if it can get back on firm footing.

https://thedrewacorn.com/2024/11/22/breaking-news-drew-university-agrees-to-sell-the-forest-to-borough-of-madison/amp/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drew recently sold a huge parcel of its land as part of its plan to remain financially viable. Time will tell if it can get back on firm footing.

https://thedrewacorn.com/2024/11/22/breaking-news-drew-university-agrees-to-sell-the-forest-to-borough-of-madison/amp/

Interesting. That's a lot of money for a small town like Madison to spend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drew recently sold a huge parcel of its land as part of its plan to remain financially viable. Time will tell if it can get back on firm footing.

https://thedrewacorn.com/2024/11/22/breaking-news-drew-university-agrees-to-sell-the-forest-to-borough-of-madison/amp/

Interesting. That's a lot of money for a small town like Madison to spend.

It’s a very weird story and lawsuit! Drew sued alleging affordable housing violations by the town and then settled with this agreement.

https://www.dailyrecord.c...272488007/

https://www.friendsofthed...new-jersey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I initially had it on my student’s list but I think Drew is really struggling financially.

With an endowment of well over $100 million and only 2200 students that would be an exaggeration

Not sure how Drew’s financial health scored in 2025 and 2024 as there’s a paywall, but Forbes rated it a “D” in 2023. We are using these metrics to help create a list. It seems like a great school with a lot of positives, but this is a legitimate area of concern. I also saw Drew on a list of schools at risk of closure in the coming years based on finances.

It’s still a D on the 2025 list, unfortunately. My kid likes the school and visited and thought it seemed good, but probably won’t apply due to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I initially had it on my student’s list but I think Drew is really struggling financially.

With an endowment of well over $100 million and only 2200 students that would be an exaggeration

Not sure how Drew’s financial health scored in 2025 and 2024 as there’s a paywall, but Forbes rated it a “D” in 2023. We are using these metrics to help create a list. It seems like a great school with a lot of positives, but this is a legitimate area of concern. I also saw Drew on a list of schools at risk of closure in the coming years based on finances.

It’s still a D on the 2025 list, unfortunately. My kid likes the school and visited and thought it seemed good, but probably won’t apply due to this.

Thanks for confirming. Too bad there’s been no improvement in that score. Signs aren’t pointing to an upward trajectory and schools like Drew will only struggle more with the demographic cliff. Tough time for colleges.