Missouri Western State University vs College of the Ozarks: which has better ROI?
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 $42,647 at Missouri Western State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Missouri Western State University | College of the Ozarks |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,251 | $6,100 |
| Total net cost | $53,004 | $24,400 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,647 | $41,592 |
| Median debt | $19,968 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$167,264 | -$159,760 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Missouri Western State University or College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $13,251 — a gap of $7,151 a year, or $28,604 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Missouri Western State University or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?
Missouri Western State University graduates report a median $42,647 ten years after entry, $1,055 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 39% at Missouri Western State University. 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.