Drury University
Drury University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Drury University at a Glance
Drury University is a private university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. The university's mission statement describes itself as "church-related". It enrolls about 1,590 undergraduate and graduate students in six master's programs and 716 students in the College of Continuing Professional Studies. In 2013, the Drury Panthers men's basketball team won the NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship. The Drury men's and women's Panthers have 22 NCAA Division II National Championships be…
1873
153 years old
$86M
$86.4 million (2025)
1,590
88 acres
Identity
Is Drury University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Drury University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,694 — 24% below average — while paying $20,831/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $20,979 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Drury University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Drury University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #9 of 47 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #2 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #3 | The College of Idaho | 39 | $19,481 | $48,473 |
| #4 | Heritage University | 39 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| #5 | Mary Baldwin University | 37 | $12,756 | $44,427 |
| #6 | Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | 37 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
| #9 | Drury University | 31 | $20,831 | $40,694 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Drury University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MO.
Best Programs at Drury University
The highest-earning program at Drury University is Accounting and Related Services at $53,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $24,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Drury University earns $53,000, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $24,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,831/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,000 | $53,000 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,500 | $50,500 | $23,250 |
| Architecture | $46,100 | $46,100 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,600 | $39,600 | $18,750 |
| History | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,550 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,400 | $30,400 | $21,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,200 | $28,200 | $20,500 |
| Human Services, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $28,492 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,200 | $27,200 | $32,104 |
| Biology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,745 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Student Body
- 1,383 students
- Admission Rate
- 58%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,831
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,694
- Median Student Debt
- $20,979