Sociology (Bachelor's Degree) at College of the Ozarks

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,942

Est. from MO median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$33,088

Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar sociology programs in Missouri typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000, but the estimated debt load here—over $33,000—creates an almost dollar-for-dollar ratio that deserves scrutiny. College of the Ozarks is known for its distinctive work-study model where students work on campus in lieu of tuition, yet these estimated debt figures suggest graduates may still be borrowing substantially more than the state median of $25,470 for sociology programs.

The earnings picture aligns with both state and national benchmarks, which is neither alarming nor impressive. Comparable Missouri programs like University of Missouri-Kansas City and Drury report slightly higher outcomes in the $36,000-$38,000 range. What matters more is the debt side: carrying $33,000 into a field where starting salaries hover in the mid-$30s means loan payments could consume a significant portion of take-home pay during those crucial first years.

Given the school's 15% admission rate and unique work program, prospective families should request actual outcomes data directly from the college. If the school's work-study model is functioning as advertised, real graduate debt should be substantially lower than these peer-based estimates. Without confirmation of lower actual debt, the financial picture looks tighter than what you'd want for a liberal arts degree.

Where College of the Ozarks Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
College of the OzarksPoint Lookout	$21,290	$34,942*	—	$33,088*	—
Columbia CollegeColumbia	$24,326	$37,758*	$38,279	$32,276*	0.85
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City	$11,988	$36,810*	$44,252	$20,799*	0.57
Drury UniversitySpringfield	$35,235	$35,881*	$34,669	$33,900*	0.94
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesSpringfield	$8,044	$35,881*	$34,669	$33,900*	0.94
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis	$13,440	$34,942*	$41,287	$26,686*	0.76
National Median	—	$34,102*	—	$25,000*	0.73

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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.