College Of The Ozarks combines highly selective admission standards with exceptional affordability through its distinctive work-study model. The institution ranks at the 94.3rd percentile for affordability while maintaining test scores at the 91st percentile nationally, creating unique value for cost-conscious families.
With modestly below average results, reflecting the gap between educational costs and post-graduation earnings
With top-tier performance, driven by exceptionally low net costs and minimal debt burden
With well above average performance, reflecting strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students despite highly selective admission standards
With above average results, indicating moderate success in economic advancement for graduates
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisCollege Of The Ozarks delivers exceptional affordability despite modest post-graduation earnings. The institution operates with a published cost of attendance of $32,262 per year, including $21,290 in tuition, $8,500 for room and board, and $1,100 for books.
Students pay just $7,669 after financial aid, representing savings of $24,593 annually. This net price falls $14,143 below the peer median of $21,812, creating significant value for families prioritizing affordability over earnings outcomes.
Students seeking exceptional affordability and manageable debt at a faith-based institution. Well-suited for those prioritizing low net costs over high earnings potential, with strong appeal for students from rural Missouri and surrounding regions who value a close-knit campus community and work-study opportunities.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the College Of The Ozarks hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/college-of-the-ozarks/analysis.
Highly selective with exceptional affordability
College Of The Ozarks ranks #352 nationally with affordability performance at the 94.3rd percentile, reflecting top-tier performance in cost management. Located in Point Lookout, Missouri, this small private nonprofit institution maintains highly selective admission standards with a 14.9% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional value through low net costs.
College Of The Ozarks enrolls 43.6% Pell-eligible students and 32.7% first-generation students, demonstrating well above average access for a highly selective institution. The college operates with a distinctive work-study model that significantly reduces student costs.
Graduates earn -$6,306 below expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 28.6th percentile for earnings uplift. Median earnings reach $41,592 ten years after enrollment, placing College Of The Ozarks at the 19th percentile nationally.
However, the institution's exceptional affordability profile, with net costs of just $7,669 compared to peer median of $21,812, creates a compelling value proposition for cost-conscious families.
College Of The Ozarks admits approximately 14.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 7 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places College Of The Ozarks among the highly selective institutions nationally, falling within the 10-25% admission rate tier.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the stark difference between College Of The Ozarks' selectivity and typical private nonprofit institutions. This level of selectivity means that even well-qualified students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process.
The institution's distinctive mission and work-study requirements add additional selection criteria beyond academic credentials. Students considering College Of The Ozarks should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but similar values-based educational approaches.
The college's 60.7 percentage point difference from peer median admission rates indicates this institution operates with fundamentally different admission philosophy than typical private colleges. Treating College Of The Ozarks as a reach school represents sound application strategy regardless of academic qualifications, given both the numerical selectivity and the institution's specific mission fit requirements.
College Of The Ozarks operates with a published cost of attendance of $32,262 per year, including $21,290 in tuition and fees, $8,500 for room and board, and $1,100 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $7,669 after financial aid, representing savings of $24,593 annually through the institution's distinctive work-study model.
This net price falls dramatically below the peer median of $21,812, creating exceptional value for families prioritizing affordability. The college's approach to cost management reflects its mission to serve students regardless of economic background, with net costs varying modestly across income levels.
According to federal College Scorecard data, College Of The Ozarks ranks at the 94.3rd percentile nationally for affordability performance. The institution's work-study program allows students to work on-campus jobs to offset educational costs, creating a unique financial model among highly selective private institutions.
For families comparing private college options, College Of The Ozarks represents one of the most affordable pathways to selective liberal arts education in the Midwest region.
College Of The Ozarks graduates demonstrate steady but modest earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $36,507 six years after enrollment to $40,008 at eight years and $41,592 at ten years, representing 13.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 486 to 531 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $6,306 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing College Of The Ozarks at the 28.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
This reflects the institution's focus on liberal arts education and public service rather than high-earning technical fields. Earnings span from $29,292 at the 25th percentile to $58,758 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.0:1 ratio that indicates moderate variation in career outcomes.
Approximately 25.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. The combination of selective admission standards with modest earnings reflects the college's mission-driven approach to education rather than career-focused program offerings.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Missouri Southern State University Higher acceptance rate (82.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 75 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MO | 97% | $42,620 | Compare |
Drury University Higher acceptance rate (44 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 42 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MO | 59% | $40,694 | Compare |
Drury University Higher acceptance rate (44 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 42 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MO | 59% | $40,694 | Compare |
Youngstown State University Higher acceptance rate (65.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | OH | 80% | $41,544 | Compare |
Campbellsville University Higher acceptance rate (83.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | KY | 98% | $41,583 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lafayette College Similar quality tier (#350 ranked) | PA | 31% | $91,410 | #350 | Compare |
Manhattan College Similar quality tier (#351 ranked) | NY | 78% | $86,316 | #351 | Compare |
Middlebury College Similar quality tier (#347 ranked) | VT | 10% | $76,310 | #347 | Compare |
Abilene Christian University Similar quality tier (#343 ranked) | TX | 100% | $55,736 | #343 | Compare |
College Of The Holy Cross Similar quality tier (#364 ranked) | MA | 21% | $90,543 | #364 | Compare |
Computer Science.
7 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
20 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
48 graduates
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations.
16 graduates
Advertising.
10 graduates
College Of The Ozarks offers 4 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Business Administration and Management represents the largest program, graduating 48 students (40.7% of graduates) with median earnings of $47,444 and ranking #287 nationally and #2 in Missouri.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing produces the highest earnings at $50,981 with 20 graduates, ranking #273 nationally and #5 in Missouri. Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching graduates 25 students with median earnings of $29,311, ranking #211 nationally and #5 in Missouri.
Psychology, General graduates 25 students with median earnings of $20,140, ranking #345 nationally and #5 in Missouri. All four programs represent flagship offerings at College Of The Ozarks, reflecting the institution's focused approach to undergraduate education rather than broad program diversity.
