Mathematics at College of the Ozarks

A bachelor's in mathematics from this highly selective Missouri school appears positioned near the middle of the state's math programs, based on comparable programs across Missouri. The estimated $52,160 first-year salary matches the state median exactly and sits comfortably above the national benchmark of $48,772. While this trails flagship programs like Mizzou ($56,132) and falls well short of Washington University's $79,799, it significantly outperforms other state options where recent graduates struggled to clear $32,000.

The estimated debt load of $21,750 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42—a manageable figure that suggests graduates could reasonably pay down their loans within a few years of entering the workforce. This is particularly relevant given that 44% of students here receive Pell grants, indicating the school serves a substantial population for whom debt management matters greatly. The 15% admission rate signals academic rigor, which may partly explain the stronger earnings picture compared to less selective Missouri schools.

The key limitation here is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than actual outcomes for College of the Ozarks graduates specifically. For a decision this important, you'll want to press the school directly for their own graduate outcomes data, particularly around teaching positions versus actuarial or analytics roles, which can vary dramatically in compensation. The estimated numbers suggest solid fundamentals, but actual data would remove the guesswork.