Biology at Drury University

Drury biology graduates start at $33,699—slightly above the national median but surprisingly below Missouri's typical program despite the university's selective 59% admission rate and solid SAT scores. More concerning is the state ranking: at the 40th percentile among Missouri biology programs, Drury trails public universities like Missouri Western ($40,936) and Northwest Missouri State ($37,983) by $4,000-$7,000 annually, a meaningful gap for families comparing in-state options.

The financial structure itself works reasonably well. With $26,688 in debt and a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates can manage their loans, and the 25% earnings bump to $41,944 by year four shows decent career trajectory. The relatively low debt load (29th percentile nationally) keeps monthly payments sustainable even if starting salaries disappoint.

For Missouri families weighing biology programs, Drury sits in an awkward middle position: more expensive than public alternatives that deliver stronger early-career earnings, yet without the premium outcomes that might justify the private school investment. If your child is set on Drury for other reasons—campus culture, smaller classes, location—the numbers aren't disqualifying. But for biology specifically, the data suggests looking at Missouri's public universities first, where graduates typically earn 10-20% more right out of the gate.