Business Administration, Management and Operations at Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

Drury's continuing education business program lands squarely in the middle tier—performing below the national average but above Missouri's median, which matters more if your child is likely staying in-state. Starting at $43,374, graduates earn about $2,100 less than the national median but nearly $1,000 more than Missouri's typical business program graduate. The 60th percentile ranking among Missouri schools means this program outperforms three out of five alternatives in the state, though it falls well short of top performers like Rockhurst ($51,887) or Park University ($53,201).

The financial fundamentals are solid. With $27,000 in debt and a 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates can reasonably manage their loans—the debt burden is actually lower than 75% of similar programs nationally. The 16% earnings growth over four years suggests the degree provides meaningful career progression, even if it doesn't open the highest-paying doors immediately. The high Pell grant enrollment (59%) indicates this program serves students who need accessible pathways to credentials, which may explain why outcomes cluster around state averages rather than reaching premium levels.

If your child is cost-conscious and planning to work in Missouri, this program offers a predictable return without overwhelming debt. However, if they're academically competitive and can access Missouri's better-performing business programs, the earnings gap—potentially $8,000 or more annually—could justify shopping around.