Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of the Ozarks

First-year earnings of $57,521 land this program well below typical nursing outcomes in Missouri, where peer programs produce median earnings near $69,000. That 25th percentile state ranking signals something's off—most nursing graduates start stronger financially, and College of the Ozarks falls short even of the national median debt level of $27,000 when debt here is estimated at $28,461 based on comparable Missouri programs. The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but only because nursing credentials generally command solid starting pay.

What's genuinely concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see incomes drop 11% by year four, falling to just under $51,000. That's the opposite pattern from what nursing careers typically deliver, where early experience translates to raises and specialization opportunities. Whether this reflects local market limitations in southern Missouri, employment patterns specific to this cohort, or other factors, it suggests graduates aren't capturing the earning power that nursing degrees usually provide. Compare this to University of Missouri-Columbia's $72,300 or even Chamberlain's $83,188 first-year figures within the same state.

For families banking on nursing as a reliable career investment, these estimated outcomes—even accounting for the school's highly selective 15% admission rate—don't match what Missouri's nursing job market typically offers BSN graduates. The debt load combined with below-market earnings makes this a questionable choice unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend.