Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks admits just 15% of applicants, suggesting it attracts serious students, yet the estimated earnings of $37,600 for this liberal arts program sit right at Missouri's median—a number that raises questions about return on selectivity. While the school's work program famously helps many students graduate debt-free, these estimates suggest that liberal arts majors here who do carry debt might finish with around $29,900, creating a nearly 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's manageable on paper, but it means dedicating roughly 80% of a first year's salary to debt repayment—and that's before accounting for taxes and living expenses in what's typically a lower-paying field.

The bigger concern is the gap between College of the Ozarks and Missouri's stronger liberal arts programs. Similar majors at William Jewell and Saint Louis University produce first-year earnings above $48,000—roughly $11,000 more annually than what peer programs here suggest. That difference compounds quickly over a career. For a highly selective school serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (44%), these estimated outcomes suggest the liberal arts track here may not deliver the same economic lift as its more career-focused programs.

If your child is determined to study liberal arts and can benefit from the school's work program to minimize debt, the investment makes more sense. But families should verify actual graduate outcomes with the school directly and consider whether this particular major justifies choosing College of the Ozarks over universities with stronger liberal arts earnings records.