Location: Point Lookout, MO•In-State Tuition: $21,290•Admission Rate: 15%•Avg SAT: 1125
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$69,239
Est. from MO median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

College of the Ozarks admits only 15% of applicants yet charges far less than you'd expect—an unusual combination that makes this computer science program intriguing despite limited graduate data. Based on comparable programs in Missouri, graduates typically earn around $69,200 in their first year and leave with roughly $25,000 in debt. That 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment: if your child dedicated 10-15% of their first-year salary to loans, they'd be debt-free within three years.

The estimated earnings align almost exactly with Missouri's median for CS programs and come close to the national benchmark of $70,950. While elite schools like Washington University produce significantly higher earners (over $110,000), similar programs at UMSL, Saint Louis University, and UMKC cluster right around this same $69,000-$70,000 range. The real differentiator here is the debt load—Missouri CS programs typically leave graduates with about $25,000, but College of the Ozarks' work-study model often results in substantially lower costs than traditional schools.

The catch is uncertainty: with suppressed data due to small graduate cohorts, you're relying on peer program outcomes rather than this school's actual track record. If College of the Ozarks truly delivers near-zero debt as its model promises, the value proposition becomes exceptional. Verify the actual costs and debt outcomes before committing.

Where College of the Ozarks Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

College of the Ozarks (estimated ±10%)Other computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
College of the OzarksPoint Lookout$21,290$69,239*—$25,000*—
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis$62,982$110,302*—$15,500*0.14
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis$13,440$72,810*$82,631$24,736*0.34
Webster UniversitySaint Louis$30,730$70,400*$79,651—*—
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis$53,244$69,849*—$27,000*0.39
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City$11,988$69,239*$81,653$26,375*0.38
National Median—$70,950*—$23,374*0.33
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At College of the Ozarks, approximately 44% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.