Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Drury University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,507

Est. from MO median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$29,846

Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar teacher education programs in Missouri typically produce first-year earnings around $35,500, which trails the national median for this field by nearly $8,000. That gap matters when you're considering the estimated $29,846 in debt—roughly $4,000 more than the Missouri median for these programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 means nearly a full year's salary goes toward what graduates owe, a heavier burden than many comparable programs in the state.

The earnings estimate itself reveals something concerning: Missouri's teacher salaries generally lag behind national averages, and within the state, Drury's peer programs show a range where the estimated figure here sits at the lower end. Programs at Mizzou and Missouri State—both public universities—suggest outcomes closer to $38,000-$40,000 for similar credentials. The higher debt load at Drury, typical for private institutions, compounds this disadvantage.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamental question is whether Drury's distinctive educational experience justifies taking on above-average debt for below-average teaching salaries. Without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're making that bet based on what happens at similar Missouri schools. If your child is committed to teaching in Missouri, exploring the documented outcomes at public alternatives would provide more certainty about return on investment.

Where Drury University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (30 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Drury UniversitySpringfield	$35,235	$35,507*	—	$29,846*	—
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia	$14,130	$39,755*	—	$17,654*	0.44
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield	$9,024	$38,211*	$40,028	$30,294*	0.79
Culver-Stockton CollegeCanton	$29,915	$37,077*	—	$29,517*	0.80
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville	$10,181	$37,057*	$37,306	$26,221*	0.71
College of the OzarksPoint Lookout	$21,290	$37,042*	$33,654	—*	—
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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 11 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.