State Fair Community College 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 $35,562 at State Fair Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | State Fair Community College | College of the Ozarks |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,985 | $6,100 |
| Total net cost | $15,970 | $24,400 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,562 | $41,592 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$271,930 | -$159,760 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, State Fair Community College or College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $7,985 — a gap of $1,885 a year, or $8,430 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do State Fair Community College or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?
College of the Ozarks graduates report a median $41,592 ten years after entry, $6,030 more than the $35,562 at State Fair 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 44% at State Fair 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.