At $21,523/yr net price, Drury University graduates earn $40,694/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,694/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,523 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,092 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,694/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,694/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,979 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,073/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,104/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,602/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,003/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,628/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $56,563 | $17,968 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,053 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $52,607 | |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $47,650 | $31,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $42,363 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,969 | $22,778 |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education. | Master | $38,289 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $37,424 | $21,855 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $36,141 |
The Risk Factor
66.0% of students at Drury University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Drury's financial return is mixed and leans weak. You'll pay a private-college net price while median earnings ten years out sit near $41,000, which is closer to what many public schools produce. The gap between what you pay and what you earn is the core problem here, and it's worse if you land in a lower-earning major.
Your major decides everything at Drury. Accounting and finance are the two payoffs, both clearing $52,000. Marketing and architecture land in the high $40,000s, but architecture carries $31,000 in debt, the highest of any listed program, so your actual return shrinks fast. Business administration, the broadest business track, drops to about $40,000 while still carrying over $22,000 in debt. Pick accounting or finance and the math works. Pick general business and you're paying private-school prices for public-school earnings.
The specific risk is the earnings ceiling. A 66% graduation rate means a third of students don't finish in the tracked window, and if you leave without a degree you still owe the debt. Springfield's regional job market supports business and accounting roles, but it won't push a marketing or general-management salary high enough to justify the sticker price for everyone.
Net price barely moves across income levels. A family under $30,000 pays about $17,000, and a family over $110,000 pays roughly $25,600. That flatness means lower-income families get some relief but still face a real bill, and the aid doesn't scale down sharply for the poorest households.
Drury fits you if you're committed to accounting or finance and plan to work in the Missouri region. Look elsewhere if you're undecided, drawn to general business or marketing, or unwilling to borrow, since the earnings won't reliably clear the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drury University worth the cost for the earnings potential?
Drury graduates earn $40,694 ten years after graduation, which is below average for a private university costing $21,523 annually. The business and accounting programs offer better returns with starting salaries in the $50,000s, but other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
What are the best ROI programs at Drury University?
Business Administration leads with $56,563 average earnings, followed by Accounting at $54,053 and Finance at $52,607. Architecture and Marketing programs show weaker returns at under $48,000, making debt repayment more challenging.
How much debt do Drury University students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $20,979, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with average post-graduation earnings of $40,694, students outside high-paying business programs may face tight budgets during loan repayment.
Does Drury University have good graduation rates for the price?
Drury's 66% graduation rate is concerning for a school charging over $20,000 annually after aid. One in three students don't finish, meaning families risk losing their investment without earning a degree.