The original mission of the institution was to provide educational opportunities in the "practical arts and sciences" for women and men of all backgrounds.

[2] In April 1817, the legislature of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania incorporated the organization under the name "Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia".

[10] Despite changes during its first century, the university has remained a privately controlled, non-sectarian, coeducational center of higher learning committed to practical education and hands-on experience in an occupational setting.

The central aspect of Drexel University's focus on career preparation, in the form of its cooperative education program, was introduced in 1919.

He oversaw improved performance in collegiate rankings, the implementation of a more selective approach to admissions, and a more rigorous academic program at all levels.

[19][20] Under Fry's leadership, Drexel has continued its expansion, including the July 2011 acquisition of The Academy of Natural Sciences.

The College of Computing and Informatics is a recent addition to Drexel University, though its programs have been offered to students for many years.

Primary research areas within the school include bioinformatics, biomechanics, biomaterials, neuroengineering, and cardiovascular engineering.

[26] Established in 1892, the department now known as the College of Professional Studies has focused exclusively on educational programs and pursuits for nontraditional adult learners.

Today, the Goodwin College of Professional Studies offers several options designed for adult learners at all stages of career and educational development.

Today, the School of Education offers a coeducational approach to teacher training at the elementary and secondary levels for undergraduates.

Other undergraduate programs include those focused on the intersection between learning and technology, teacher certification for non-education majors, and a minor in education for students with an interest in instruction.

[41] Drexel University launched its first Internet-based education program, a master's degree in Library & Information Science, in 1996.

[45] Although headquartered in Philadelphia, Drexel announced a new Washington, D.C., location in December 2012 to serve as both an academic and outreach center, catering to the online student population.

[52] In March 2013, Drexel Online had more than 7,000 unique students from all 50 states and more than 20 countries pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or certificate.

[55] Drexel has a fully internet-based job database, where students can submit résumés and request interviews with any of the thousands of companies that offer positions.

The northern, residential portion of the main campus is located in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia.

It is located in the East Falls neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia and is primarily utilized by first- and second-year medical students, and researchers.

[79] Eventually renamed Drexel University Sacramento upon the addition of an undergraduate program in business administration, the campus also offered an Ed.D.

[80] On March 5, 2015, Drexel University announced the closure of the Sacramento campus, with an 18-month "phase out" period designed to allow current students to complete their degrees.

Due to an increase in the number of Orthodox Jewish students[83] the Hillel has hot kosher food Monday through Thursday .

The Triangle has won several Mark of Excellence Awards which honor the best in Student Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists.

[95] Drexel requires all non-commuting first- and second-year students to live in one of its ten residence halls or in "university approved housing".

[96] Second-year students have the option of living in a residence hall designated for upperclassmen, or "university approved housing".

Three of the largest apartment buildings that fit this description are Chestnut Square, University Crossings, and The Summit, all owned by American Campus Communities.

[100] The school's sports teams, now known as the Drexel Dragons, participate in the NCAA's Division I as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.

[104] Certificate-earning alumni such as artist Violet Oakley and illustrator Frank Schoonover reflect the early emphasis on art as part of the university's curriculum.

In addition to its emphasis on technology Drexel has graduated several notable athletes such as National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball players Michael Anderson, Damion Lee, and Malik Rose, and several notable business people such as Raj Gupta, former president and Chief executive officer (CEO) of Rohm and Haas, and Kenneth C. Dahlberg, former CEO of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

In 2018, Tirthak Saha -a 2016 graduate of the ECE school - was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for achievements in the energy field.

The first recipient was bioengineer James J. Collins of Boston University (now at MIT) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.