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College of the Ozarks vs North Central Missouri College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Point Lookout MO · vs · Public, Trenton 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 $40,837 at North Central Missouri College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of the OzarksNorth Central Missouri College
Net price / yr$6,100$13,626
Total net cost$24,400$27,252
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,592$40,837
Median debt$10,500
Payback
20-year net return-$159,760-$177,712

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

Which is cheaper, College of the Ozarks or North Central Missouri College?

College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $13,626 — a gap of $7,526 a year, or $2,852 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 North Central Missouri College graduates earn more?

College of the Ozarks graduates report a median $41,592 ten years after entry, $755 more than the $40,837 at North Central Missouri College. 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 58% at North Central Missouri 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 North Central Missouri College: frequently asked questions

Is College of the Ozarks or North Central Missouri 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 North Central Missouri College?
College of the Ozarks: $6,100/yr net price after aid versus $13,626/yr at North Central Missouri College — a difference of $7,526 a year, or about $2,852 over four years.
Do College of the Ozarks or North Central Missouri College graduates earn more?
College of the Ozarks graduates earn a median $41,592 ten years after entry, versus $40,837 at North Central Missouri College — a $755 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.