Analysis
Drury's computer science bachelor's appears positioned in the middle tier of Missouri programs, with comparable schools suggesting first-year earnings around $69,000—essentially matching the state median but falling notably short of what Washington University ($110,000) or even University of Missouri-St Louis ($73,000) graduates command. That estimated $25,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four months of gross income.
The caveat here is substantial: both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from peer programs across Missouri, not tracked outcomes from Drury's own CS graduates. The absence of reported data—due to small cohort sizes rather than any institutional failing—means you're essentially betting on Drury producing results similar to the state's median program. That's not unreasonable given the school's 1212 average SAT and 59% admission rate, which suggest solid-but-not-elite selectivity, but it does leave meaningful uncertainty about whether Drury's specific curriculum, career services, and employer connections will deliver that $69,000 benchmark.
If your child has other options with actual reported outcomes—particularly public universities like Mizzou or UMSL that show verified earnings above $69,000—those provide more certainty. Drury could very well match or exceed these estimates, but without the data, you're making this decision on comparable programs rather than proven results from this specific campus.
Where Drury University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,235 | $69,239* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $62,982 | $110,302* | — | $15,500* | 0.14 | |
| $13,440 | $72,810* | $82,631 | $24,736* | 0.34 | |
| $30,730 | $70,400* | $79,651 | —* | — | |
| $53,244 | $69,849* | — | $27,000* | 0.39 | |
| $11,988 | $69,239* | $81,653 | $26,375* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | — | $70,950* | — | $23,374* | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Drury University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.