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Drury University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Springfield MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Drury University comes closer — median earnings $40,694 against a $83,324 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDrury UniversityAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$20,831$15,904
Total net cost$83,324$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,694$25,129
Median debt$20,979$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$236,644-$528,236

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $20,831 — a gap of $4,927 a year, or $19,708 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Drury University graduates report a median $40,694 ten years after entry, $15,565 more than the $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,979 at Drury University, a difference of $11,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 62% at Drury University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Drury University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Drury University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: $15,904/yr net price after aid versus $20,831/yr at Drury University — a difference of $4,927 a year, or about $19,708 over four years.
Do Drury University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Drury University graduates earn a median $40,694 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $15,565 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.