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Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

#212 in US ranking Los Angeles, CA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science award
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science award

Cost

Cost / year
$44,630
Tuition & fees
$18,950
Avg. aid
$16,515
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
39%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
30%
Median salary
$58,202
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

CDU holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, commonly called WSCUC. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval of an individual professional program.

Program-level status is especially consequential in health care. CDU's four-year MD program and nursing programs have separate accreditation considerations, and applicants should verify the specific program and credential in the relevant professional accreditor's current directory. For medicine, the relevant accreditor is the Liaison Committee on Medical Education; nursing applicants should check the accreditor identified for their particular degree. Accreditation or approval status can change and may affect eligibility for professional examinations or licensure.

Institutional accreditation is also relevant to federal student-aid eligibility. It does not, by itself, ensure that another college will accept a course in transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Those decisions depend on the receiving institution, program requirements, and applicable licensing authority.

What are the admission requirements at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

CDU is selective, and application requirements depend on the program. For first-year undergraduate applicants, reported admissions criteria include a secondary-school record and GPA. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent is relevant to degree-seeking admission; SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended in the reported undergraduate criteria.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, 313 of 808 applicants were admitted, an acceptance rate of about 39%. Only 11 admitted applicants enrolled as first-time students. Those figures describe a small undergraduate entering cohort, not an MD or nursing-program acceptance rate, and they should not be used to predict an individual applicant's chances.

Recommendations and evidence of academic competencies may be considered for undergraduate admission without being universal requirements. English-language proficiency testing may apply to applicants whose circumstances call for it; applicants should check the current policy for their program rather than assume every applicant must submit a TOEFL score. Professional programs can additionally require specified prerequisite courses, college transcripts, statements, interviews, or clinical-readiness documentation. Confirm the application route and deadline for the exact degree before preparing materials.

What are the application fees and waivers at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

CDU applicants should check the fee displayed for their specific program and application route before submitting. Undergraduate, nursing, physician assistant, and medical applications may use different systems, so a charge associated with one route should not be treated as the university-wide application fee.

Applicants who need a fee waiver should examine the instructions in the relevant application system and ask the program's admissions office about eligibility before payment or submission. A waiver of an application charge is separate from an enrollment deposit, tuition, and other costs that may arise after admission.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

ROTC is not presented as a regular on-campus component of CDU's health-sciences programs. Applicants interested in Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC should not assume that enrolling at CDU automatically permits participation in a nearby university's unit.

Participation through a host institution, where allowed, requires confirmation from that ROTC unit and CDU about cross-enrollment, scheduling, academic credit, and eligibility. ROTC scholarships can have separate applications and military service obligations. A prospective student should resolve those conditions before relying on ROTC to finance a CDU degree.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

CDU accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Reported entry options include fall, spring, and summer terms, although the available start term can differ by degree program.

Transfer applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from prior colleges and demonstrate completion of any program prerequisites. Requirements for GPA, prerequisite grades, and prior college credit are particularly important in nursing and other sequenced health-professions curricula. Reported credit policies also recognize Advanced Placement credit and may allow CLEP credit; neither guarantees that a particular examination will satisfy a major requirement.

Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions. Before committing, ask for a program-specific evaluation showing which courses transfer, which prerequisites they satisfy, and how many CDU credits remain. A course accepted as an elective may not replace a required science course or clinical sequence. Applicants with substantial prior coursework should also check the program's minimum credits to be completed at CDU.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?

CDU's course of study is centered on health-sciences instruction, research, and clinical education; an overseas course or experience should not be assumed to fit automatically into a degree plan. This is particularly important in programs with fixed prerequisites or supervised clinical hours.

Students considering international study, research, or service should seek written academic approval before paying a third-party provider or leaving the country. They should ask whether the experience earns CDU credit, fulfills a specific degree requirement, satisfies clinical or licensing rules where relevant, and qualifies for their financial aid. An independently arranged trip is not equivalent to a university-approved study-abroad program.

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Admissions Factors

Acceptance rate
39%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
39%
California
75%
US
78%

4% of admitted students enrolled (11 of 313)

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Admissions

Applicants
Total: 808
Admission
Total: 313
Enrolled
Total: 11
Women
Men

How to Apply to Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Regular application deadline

September 5

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 11

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 11
Transfer: 110

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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