For access among nonprofit four-year institutions
For mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #1164 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,099, placing University of the Ozarks in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #1358 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #1164 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 21.5 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university located in Clarksville, AR, University of the Ozarks enrolls roughly 767 undergraduates. Retention stands at 68.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 51.5%, reflecting solid degree-completion outcomes for a master's-level institution. Where University of the Ozarks performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #1358 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 8.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,099, placing University of the Ozarks in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of the Ozarks sits in the 16.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, meaning graduates earn about $12,176 less than similar students at comparable institutions relative to similar students at comparable institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of the Ozarks sits in the 47.9 percentile for access and the 75.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns with regional labor-market demand and contributes to the strong earnings outcomes that anchor the composite ranking. For prospective students weighing long-term financial outcomes against upfront costs, University of the Ozarks delivers measurable return on investment relative to peer institutions.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University publishes a cost of attendance of $38,666, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,664, while middle-income families pay around $19,291, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,836. Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #350 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Virginia Tech participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and the gap between sticker price and net price reflects the net price illusion that affects many public research universities — published costs overstate what most families pay, particularly at lower income levels. The spread between low- and high-income net prices signals that need-based aid is doing meaningful work for qualifying families, though the degree of differentiation varies by household circumstances and aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,875, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,875; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,099, median federal debt of $20,875 projects to a monthly payment of about $236 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a strong fit for students drawn to engineering, business, computer science, and applied technical fields who want a large public research university in AR with a clear path to strong post-graduation earnings. The earnings case is compelling. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,099, placing University of the Ozarks in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $12,176 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 16.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access is broad relative to many research universities. 39.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.7% are first-generation students, and University of the Ozarks sits in the 26.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure — suggesting that students from lower-income backgrounds who enroll and graduate tend to see meaningful returns. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Business and STEM-adjacent fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those pursuing humanities or social sciences may find a narrower program ecosystem. Families should also weigh median student debt of $20,875 against the earnings trajectory when evaluating long-run value.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of The Ozarks hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
65 graduates
Public Health
24 graduates
Biology, General
15 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
7 graduates
University of the Ozarks's program mix is anchored in Business, reflecting the institution's applied-professional focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates, followed by Public Health with 24 graduates, Psychology, General, Political Science, and Biology, General with 15 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 213 students annually, the institution concentrates its degree output in Business at 32%, Social Sciences at 11%, and Education at 5%. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in the institution's largest and most popular fields.
The Business Administration program graduates 65 students with median earnings of $50,789 four years after enrollment, while The Public Health program graduates 24 students earning $49,174. Biology, General with 15 graduates earns $46,151 four years after enrollment.
These programs represent the direct-to-workforce pathway where graduates enter the labor market immediately and earnings reflect near-term career outcomes. University of the Ozarks's program portfolio is characteristic of a regional private institution where applied business and professional fields dominate the degree mix.
The concentration in Business and related applied disciplines aligns with employer demand in the institution's regional labor market. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and regional hiring patterns.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University publishes a cost of attendance of $38,666, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,664, while middle-income families pay around $19,291, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,836.
Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #350 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Virginia Tech participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and the gap between sticker price and net price reflects the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) that affects many public research universities — published costs overstate what most families pay, particularly at lower income levels. The spread between low- and high-income net prices signals that need-based aid is doing meaningful work for qualifying families, though the degree of differentiation varies by household circumstances and aid eligibility.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,875, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,875; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,099, median federal debt of $20,875 projects to a monthly payment of about $236 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Northeastern State University Higher acceptance rate (41.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 90 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OK | 99% | $45,379 | Compare |
University Of Central Arkansas Higher acceptance rate (32.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 63 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 90% | $45,938 | Compare |
University Of Arkansas-Fort Smith Higher acceptance rate (23.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 51 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 81% | $41,102 | Compare |
University Of New Mexico-Main Campus Higher acceptance rate (37.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NM | 95% | $44,792 | Compare |
Nicholls State University Higher acceptance rate (37.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | LA | 96% | $45,454 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas Aquinas College Similar quality tier (#33861 ranked) | CA | 83% | $55,619 | #33861 | Compare |
Mount Marty University Similar quality tier (#33860 ranked) | SD | 43% | $48,179 | #33860 | Compare |
Florida Memorial University Similar quality tier (#33859 ranked) | FL | 85% | $36,624 | #33859 | Compare |
Grace College And Theological Seminary Similar quality tier (#33865 ranked) | IN | 82% | $45,411 | #33865 | Compare |
Converse University Similar quality tier (#33856 ranked) | SC | 68% | $40,867 | #33856 | Compare |
Graduates of University of the Ozarks earn median 4-year earnings of $46,099, placing University of the Ozarks in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,176 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of the Ozarks in the 16.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of the Ozarks #1358 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of the Ozarks's concentration in Business.
Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $50,789, at 0.7x the national benchmark for the field. Public Health enrolls 24 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $49,174, at 0.8x the benchmark.
Psychology, General and The Political Science round out the top programs by enrollment, while The Biology, General program graduates 15 students earning median 4-year earnings of $46,151, at 0.8x the benchmark. This program-level diversity within the business-focused portfolio supports consistent outcomes across multiple career pathways.
