Business Administration, Management and Operations at College of the Ozarks

With first-year earnings of $39,081—well below Missouri's $42,524 median for business programs—this selective institution's outcomes lag behind what peer programs typically deliver. The estimated $26,125 in debt aligns with state averages, but that debt burden becomes harder to manage when graduates earn about $6,400 less annually than their counterparts at other Missouri business schools. At 67% of first-year earnings, the debt ratio itself looks reasonable, yet graduates face a five-year catch-up compared to programs like Park University or Rockhurst, where starting salaries exceed $50,000.

The 21% earnings growth to $47,444 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, though even this trajectory leaves graduates trailing the state median. For context, top Missouri business programs produce starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to over $73,000—dramatically different launching points. College of the Ozarks admits just 15% of applicants and serves a substantial population of lower-income students (44% receive Pell grants), yet the earnings data suggests this selectivity doesn't translate into competitive career outcomes for business majors.

The real concern is paying near-average debt for below-average earnings in a crowded field where dozens of Missouri alternatives exist. Parents should press the school for its actual graduate outcomes and compare financial aid packages carefully—the "no tuition" work-study model may offset these earnings concerns, but that context isn't captured in these estimated debt figures.