Degree Dividend
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Ozarks Technical Community College vs College of the Ozarks: which has better ROI?

Public, Springfield MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Point Lookout 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 $36,455 at Ozarks Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOzarks Technical Community CollegeCollege of the Ozarks
Net price / yr$6,936$6,100
Total net cost$13,872$24,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,455$41,592
Median debt$10,453
Payback
20-year net return-$251,972-$159,760

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

Which is cheaper, Ozarks Technical Community College or College of the Ozarks?

College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $6,936 — a gap of $836 a year, or $10,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ozarks Technical Community College or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?

College of the Ozarks graduates report a median $41,592 ten years after entry, $5,137 more than the $36,455 at Ozarks Technical Community 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 33% at Ozarks Technical Community 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.

Ozarks Technical Community College vs College of the Ozarks: frequently asked questions

Is Ozarks Technical Community College or College of the Ozarks 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, Ozarks Technical Community College or College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks: $6,100/yr net price after aid versus $6,936/yr at Ozarks Technical Community College — a difference of $836 a year, or about $10,528 over four years.
Do Ozarks Technical Community College or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?
College of the Ozarks graduates earn a median $41,592 ten years after entry, versus $36,455 at Ozarks Technical Community College — a $5,137 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.