Analysis
Drury's Human Services graduates start at $30,564—roughly $6,000 below the national median and $3,000 below Missouri's typical outcome for this degree. That 5th percentile national ranking signals a serious earnings problem, though within Missouri specifically, the program sits closer to the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile, suggesting this is partly a regional wage issue rather than purely a Drury problem. Graduates carry $33,492 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.10 that pushes the practical limits of affordability.
The 22% earnings growth to $37,173 by year four offers some relief, but even these mid-career numbers lag behind what many peers earn immediately after graduation. For context, Human Services graduates from Columbia College in the same state start nearly $7,000 higher. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these figures, but they don't paint an encouraging picture.
If your child is committed to human services work in Missouri, this degree will likely require careful debt management and realistic expectations about early-career salaries. The combination of below-average starting pay and full-freight debt means graduates will need to budget tightly during those first critical years. You'd want to see this debt load closer to $25,000 given these earnings, or consider whether similar programs at Missouri's public universities might offer better value.
Where Drury University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Drury University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drury University | $30,564 | $37,173 | +22% |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | $37,501 | $52,771 | +41% |
| University of Delaware | $32,812 | $51,146 | +56% |
| Columbia College | $37,571 | $37,225 | -1% |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | $30,564 | $37,173 | +22% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Drury UniversitySpringfield | $35,235 | $30,564 | $37,173 | $33,492 | 1.10 |
 Columbia CollegeColumbia | $24,326 | $37,571 | $37,225 | $39,973 | 1.06 |
 Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis | $33,122 | $36,365 | — | $29,389 | 0.81 |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesSpringfield | $8,044 | $30,564 | $37,173 | $33,492 | 1.10 |
| National Median | — | $36,630 | — | $31,573 | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human services graduates
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.
Sample Size: Based on 35 graduates with reported earnings and 49 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.