Cost & ROI · 2026
Is College of the Ozarks worth it?
Pay $6,100/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $41,592 ten years out — about 6.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
College of the Ozarks vs Missouri avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Missouri college and the typical US college.
| Metric | College of the Ozarks | Missouri avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $6,100 | $17,622 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $41,592 | $48,522 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $18,954 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 63.7% | 51% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 12% | 72.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $134,936 over four years. Most students get $27,634/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median College of the Ozarks grad earns about -$136,320 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about College of the Ozarks
The average student at College of the Ozarks pays $6,100 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $33,734 published sticker price. That is below the MO average net price of $17,622.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $41,592 — below the MO median of $48,522. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at College of the Ozarks?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $6,100 per year. That's $27,634/yr in financial aid against the $33,734 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $24,400.
How much do College of the Ozarks graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, College of the Ozarks graduates earn a median of $41,592 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 6.8× the annual net cost.
Is College of the Ozarks worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns College of the Ozarks a value grade of A+ — top 9% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $6,100/yr, earn $41,592/yr ten years out, ROI score of 17.05. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at College of the Ozarks?
49.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0% take federal student loans. On average, students get $27,634 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at College of the Ozarks?
In-state tuition is $22,320 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $22,320 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at College of the Ozarks?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $6,381. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $10,426. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →