Criminal Justice at Drury University

Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Drury University accepts 59% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,367 students in Springfield, MO.

Program Analysis

At $41,277/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from Drury University land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 12.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

The median debt load of $5,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #355 out of 469 programs, Drury University's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
62
Score
64
High End
Earnings $41,277/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$432K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
12.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$35,235
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980 +2.9% 67%
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580 -0.7% 47%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Drury University?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Drury University?
At $5,500 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Drury University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
If Drury University's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →