Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ozarks Technical Community College

At $34,644 in first-year earnings, Ozarks Technical Community College's business associate degree performs reasonably well within Missouri, landing in the 60th percentile among the state's 20 programs. That's solidly above the Missouri median of $32,506, though nowhere near what Park University graduates earn. With debt just under $13,300, students face manageable monthly payments—the 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly four months of gross income covers the entire educational investment.

The real question is trajectory. Community college business degrees often serve as stepping stones, and this program's middle-of-the-pack national performance (53rd percentile) suggests it provides adequate preparation without standout career outcomes. The debt level aligns closely with both state and national medians, so students aren't overpaying relative to peers. For families in the Springfield area where living costs are reasonable, this represents a low-risk entry point into business careers.

If your child plans to transfer to a four-year program afterward, this is a sensible foundation. If this is the terminal degree, understand they're starting at roughly $34,600—livable in Missouri but not exceptional. The 37% Pell grant rate indicates the school serves working-class students effectively, keeping costs contained while delivering outcomes that modestly exceed state averages.