Degree Dividend
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College of the Ozarks vs Evangel University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Point Lookout MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Evangel University comes closer — median earnings $46,573 against a $74,676 total, vs $41,592 at College of the Ozarks. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of the OzarksEvangel University
Net price / yr$6,100$18,669
Total net cost$24,400$74,676
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,592$46,573
Median debt$24,736
Payback
20-year net return-$159,760-$110,416

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

Which is cheaper, College of the Ozarks or Evangel University?

College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $18,669 — a gap of $12,569 a year, or $50,276 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College of the Ozarks or Evangel University graduates earn more?

Evangel University graduates report a median $46,573 ten years after entry, $4,981 more than the $41,592 at College of the Ozarks. 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 graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Evangel University, against 64% at College of the Ozarks. 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.

College of the Ozarks vs Evangel University: frequently asked questions

Is College of the Ozarks or Evangel University a better value?
Evangel 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, College of the Ozarks or Evangel University?
College of the Ozarks: $6,100/yr net price after aid versus $18,669/yr at Evangel University — a difference of $12,569 a year, or about $50,276 over four years.
Do College of the Ozarks or Evangel University graduates earn more?
Evangel University graduates earn a median $46,573 ten years after entry, versus $41,592 at College of the Ozarks — a $4,981 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.