Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree) at Drury University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,886

Est. from MO median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,022

Est. from MO median (3 programs)

Analysis

A $24,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree from a selective liberal arts college sounds reasonable at first glance, particularly when similar Missouri programs carry comparable debt. The challenge lies in what that debt purchases: based on peer political science programs in Missouri, first-year earnings hover around $37,000—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 that puts monthly loan payments at a manageable level relative to take-home pay. This aligns closely with the national median for political science degrees, suggesting neither premium nor penalty for the Missouri market.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. With Drury's specific outcomes suppressed due to small sample sizes, you're relying entirely on state-level estimates from just a handful of comparable programs. Missouri's flagship and regional universities—Mizzou, Missouri State, Truman State—report actual earnings in the $36,000-$40,000 range for their political science graduates. Whether Drury's outcomes match, exceed, or fall short of these peers remains unknown. For a private institution with higher sticker prices than public alternatives, the gap between estimate and reality could significantly alter the value equation.

The practical question: can your family afford this program if the actual outcomes land below the estimate? At these projected figures, the debt burden is workable but leaves little room for error, especially given that political science careers often require graduate school or extended job searches to reach higher earning potential. If Drury offers unique advantages—faculty connections, internship access, graduate school placement—that justify betting on outcomes at least matching state averages, the risk may be acceptable.

Where Drury University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Drury UniversitySpringfield	$35,235	$36,886*	—	$24,022*	—
Truman State UniversityKirksville	$9,470	$39,813*	—	$26,649*	0.67
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield	$9,024	$37,944*	$50,232	$20,500*	0.54
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia	$14,130	$37,722*	$57,664	$22,517*	0.60
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis	$13,440	$36,050*	$42,504	$25,250*	0.70
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg	$9,739	$35,556*	$36,724	$23,678*	0.67
National Median	—	$35,627*	—	$23,500*	0.66

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

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 6 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.