Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies logo

Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

Springfield, MO
privateWebsite
37
Value
Median Earnings (10yr)
$40,694
-24% vs average
Net Price / Year
$10,566
-48% vs average
Graduation Rate
39%
Payback Period
1 years
Median Debt
$20,979
Student Body
632

Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies 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

Founded

1873

153 years old

Endowment

$86M

$86.4 million (2025)

Students

1,590

Campus

88 acres

Identity

Athletics: PanthersColors: Scarlet & greyAffiliation: United Church of Christ Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)President: Jeff Frederick
Sources:Wikipedia

Is Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies Worth It?

At a value score of 37/100, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,694 — 24% below average — while paying $10,566/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.

The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

A 39% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.

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-College of Continuing Professional Studies has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.

How Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MO

Ranked #19 of 194 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.

RankCollegeValueNet price / yrMedian earnings
#1Turtle Mountain College100$3,428$32,079
#2College of Biblical Studies-Houston100$672$39,260
#3Albizu University-San Juan73$9,732$41,544
#4Brescia University67$8,709$45,500
#5Baptist University of Florida64$10,372$42,836
#6Hallmark University54$12,513$40,183
#19Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies37$10,566$40,694

Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in MO.

Best Programs at Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

Program-level earnings data isn't available for Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.

As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$42,264

Based on $10,566/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

-24%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

1 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$364,676

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Quick Facts

Institution Type
private
Location
Springfield, MO
Student Body
632 students
Graduation Rate
39%
Net Price (Annual)
$10,566
Median Earnings (10yr)
$40,694
Median Student Debt
$20,979
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.