Criminology at Drury University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 suggests a manageable financial picture for this criminology degree, though the caveat here matters: both the $37,476 first-year salary and $26,027 debt load are derived from national benchmarks rather than Drury's actual graduate outcomes. The earnings estimate aligns closely with what peer Missouri programs report—Missouri State graduates in this field start around $36,185, while University of Missouri-St. Louis alumni earn roughly $38,207—so the baseline projection appears reasonable for the regional market.

The estimated debt sits slightly above both the Missouri median ($24,187) and national median ($25,000) for criminology programs, which means families should expect to borrow somewhat more than typical for this degree. Still, at roughly 70% of first-year earnings, the debt burden remains within generally advisable limits. Drury's 27% Pell grant population and 59% admission rate suggest it serves a middle-market niche where modest additional borrowing might reflect less generous institutional aid rather than program quality concerns.

The takeaway: if the estimates hold true to pattern, this represents a conventional investment for a criminology degree—not a standout bargain, but unlikely to create undue financial strain. However, because neither figure reflects Drury's specific track record, families should request placement data directly from the university to understand whether graduates actually secure the law enforcement, corrections, or social services positions these salary estimates assume.