College of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of the Ozarks at a Glance
College of the Ozarks is a private Christian college in Point Lookout, Missouri, United States. The college has an enrollment of 1,426 and over 30 academic majors in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs.
1906
120 years old
$704M
$703.7 million (2025)
1,508
Identity
Is College of the Ozarks Worth It?
College of the Ozarks is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $6,100/year net price and $41,592 median earnings, graduates earn 6.8× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 12% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: College of the Ozarks delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How College of the Ozarks compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 24 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of the Ozarks | 100 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
| #2 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #3 | Heritage University | 39 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| #4 | Mary Baldwin University | 37 | $12,756 | $44,427 |
| #5 | Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | 37 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
| #6 | Our Lady of the Lake University | 33 | $16,442 | $48,675 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of College of the Ozarks's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MO.
Best Programs at College of the Ozarks
The highest-earning program at College of the Ozarks is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $48,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $27,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from College of the Ozarks earns $48,500, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate earns $27,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,100/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $48,500 | $48,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,600 | $27,600 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $27,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Point Lookout, MO
- Student Body
- 1,444 students
- Admission Rate
- 12%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,100
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,592