Degree Dividend
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College of the Ozarks vs Missouri Valley College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of the Ozarks comes closer — median earnings $41,592 against a $24,400 total, vs $43,221 at Missouri Valley College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of the OzarksMissouri Valley College
Net price / yr$6,100$18,086
Total net cost$24,400$72,344
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,592$43,221
Median debt$25,950
Payback
20-year net return-$159,760-$175,124

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

Which is cheaper, College of the Ozarks or Missouri Valley College?

College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $18,086 — a gap of $11,986 a year, or $47,944 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 Missouri Valley College graduates earn more?

Missouri Valley College graduates report a median $43,221 ten years after entry, $1,629 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?

64% of students finish at College of the Ozarks, against 22% at Missouri Valley College. 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 Missouri Valley College: frequently asked questions

Is College of the Ozarks or Missouri Valley College a better value?
College of the Ozarks 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 Missouri Valley College?
College of the Ozarks: $6,100/yr net price after aid versus $18,086/yr at Missouri Valley College — a difference of $11,986 a year, or about $47,944 over four years.
Do College of the Ozarks or Missouri Valley College graduates earn more?
Missouri Valley College graduates earn a median $43,221 ten years after entry, versus $41,592 at College of the Ozarks — a $1,629 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.