Health Professions at Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical's Health Professions program starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn $27,000 in year one but reach $38,500 by year four, a 43% jump that outpaces typical associate degree trajectories. The tradeoff: you'll rank in just the 25th percentile nationally right out of the gate, earning about $8,000 less than the national median for health professions associates. With only two programs tracked in Missouri, the state comparison offers limited insight, though this program matches the state median for both earnings and debt.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $20,626, you're borrowing slightly more than the national median, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77. That means initial loan payments could consume a significant chunk of entry-level wages. However, by year four, when earnings approach $39,000, this ratio improves substantially. The 37% Pell grant rate suggests many students here manage to complete without taking on this full debt load.

This program makes sense if you're committed to staying in the Springfield area where cost of living is lower, or if you're using this as a stepping stone to further credentials that unlock higher-paying roles. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates are advancing into better positions over time. But if you're comparing health professions programs across states, recognize you'll start behind peers elsewhere—and should factor in whether Missouri's job market offers enough runway to catch up.