Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, Missouri · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 24/100 · Poor Value
Drury University's College of Continuing Professional Studies (CCPS) is the adult-learner branch of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, scoring 24 on the CampusROI scale -- deep in the Poor Value tier. Note that the cost stack here is unusually low for a private nonprofit, reflecting CCPS's commuter/working-adult focus: $8,054 sticker tuition, $10,566 average net price (slightly above sticker due to fees and living costs), and a $42,264 four-year total. Outcomes are weak: 10-year median earnings of $40,694 produce just a 13.5% earnings premium (sub-score 25) and a 32-year payback period (sub-score 16). Median debt of $20,979 against those earnings yields a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 31). Repayment at 64.4% (sub-score 25) is mediocre, and the 43.2% completion rate (sub-score 27) is weak. The honest read: CCPS serves a working-adult population (64% Pell-eligible) seeking a credential rather than a traditional college experience, and the financial outcomes reflect that the resulting earnings boost is modest. Students should compare carefully against Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College, both of which deliver comparable adult-learner offerings at materially lower cost.
The data raises concerns about Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score24/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period32 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,054/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,054/yr |
| Average net price | $10,566/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $42,264 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,694 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,979 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $222 |
| Estimated payback period | 32 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 43.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 632 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies is $8,054/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $10,566/year, or roughly $42,264 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,291/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $13,948/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,979 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $222 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $40,694 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,291 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,756 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,486 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,937 |
| $110,001+ | $13,948 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $9,291 net annually, notably below the $30,001-$48,000 bracket's $11,756 -- an inverted bracket worth flagging. Over four years that is roughly $37,000 of cost. For Pell-eligible Missouri students, federal aid plus state aid (Access Missouri Grant) helps, but the 32-year payback period and 64% repayment rate signal that even modest borrowing tends to lead to long-term repayment difficulty.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households at $48,001-$75,000 pay $10,486 -- below the $30,001-$48,000 bracket's $11,756, another inversion. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $12,937, restoring the expected progression. These prices are low absolutely but the math is still hard given $40,694 of 10-year earnings and the 32-year payback period. Cash-flow funding rather than borrowing is the only sensible play.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $13,948 net, or about $56,000 over four years. At any income level, CCPS's earnings outcomes do not justify the price versus Missouri public alternatives. The relevant comparison at this tier is community college plus a state university transfer, not other privates.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $52,286 | C |
| Psychology | $42,425 | D |
| Teacher Education | $37,713 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,695 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $47,160 | - |
| Human Services, General | $39,257 | F |
| History | $41,996 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $35,543 | F |
| Biology | $49,387 | D |
| Sociology | $43,676 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business is CCPS's largest cohort at 32 graduates per year. Graduates earn $43,374 at one year and $52,286 at four years against $27,000 of debt -- a 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C grade. This is the strongest ROI track at CCPS by a meaningful margin. Career paths span small-business management, regional retail/hospitality operations, and adult-credential paths within Springfield-area firms. Students should treat this as the default major if pursuing a CCPS degree.
Psychology
Psychology is the second-largest cohort at 30 graduates per year. Graduates earn $34,095 at one year and $42,425 at four years against $27,937 of debt -- a 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. As is typical for bachelor's psychology, well-paid clinical paths require master's or doctoral training. For working-adult students, this is often pursued as a personal-interest credential rather than a career-launching degree.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates earn $31,726 at one year and $37,713 at four years against $26,262 of debt -- a 0.83 ratio and a D grade. With 21 graduates per year this is a meaningful adult-learner track, often pursued by paraprofessionals seeking certification. Missouri public-school teaching salaries are constrained; PSLF eligibility is important for graduates entering K-12 teaching.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates earn $38,014 at one year and $47,695 at four years against $34,000 of debt -- a 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. With 17 graduates per year this cohort is often filled by working law-enforcement personnel pursuing promotion-eligible credentials. The high debt load relative to public-sector earnings ceilings makes the math tight.
Human Services, General
Human Services graduates earn $30,564 at one year and $39,257 at four years against $33,492 of debt -- a 1.10 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F grade. Debt exceeds annual earnings, which is structurally hard to recover from. Career paths typically lead to social services, case management, and nonprofit work where compensation is constrained; PSLF eligibility for nonprofit/government roles is the most important financial factor.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 56.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 50.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 55.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 632 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 64.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,409 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data, which is consistent with continuing-education and adult-learner programs that typically operate on a rolling-admissions, credit-evaluation model rather than competitive selection. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are likewise unreported. The 43.2% completion rate is the dominant data point and signals significant attrition typical of working-adult programs.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CCPS's CampusROI peer set includes Avila University (MO), Mission University (MO), Bethany College (WV), Greensboro College (NC), and Grace Christian University (MI). Avila is the closest direct Missouri private comp and posts somewhat similar weak outcomes. Mission University is mission-driven and not a clean financial comp. Bethany, Greensboro, and Grace Christian are small private liberal arts schools with comparable Poor Value tier scores. Within this group CCPS sits in the lower half on most ROI inputs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies (this school) | 24 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Bethany College | 25 | $18,605 | $44,512 |
| Grace Christian University | 24 | $12,404 | $41,663 |
| Greensboro College | 24 | $17,882 | $46,566 |
| Mission University | 15 | $21,383 | $38,641 |
Who Thrives Here
With 632 students and a 64.1% Pell rate, CCPS serves a heavily Pell-eligible adult-learner population in southwest Missouri. The largest cohort is business administration (32 graduates per year) at $52,286 four-year earnings, followed by psychology (30 graduates) and teacher education (21 graduates). The student profile is fundamentally different from a traditional 18-22 residential population; the relevant question is not 'is this a good ROI versus a residential private liberal arts college' but 'is this a good ROI versus other adult-learner credentialing options', and on that comparison community college transfer paths typically win.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies. With a net cost of $10,566 per year and median graduate earnings of only $40,694 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 32 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 43.2% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,979 against $40,694 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.