Marketing at Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical's marketing associate program sits squarely in the middle of Missouri's limited options—ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—but that's cold comfort when the state's marketing graduates earn significantly less than the national average. At just over $30,000 annually, graduates here make $11,500 less than their peers nationally (19th percentile), and that gap doesn't close with time. Earnings actually slip slightly by year four, suggesting this credential doesn't build much career momentum.

The debt picture makes this particularly problematic. With nearly $31,000 in borrowing to earn barely $30,000, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.02—meaning they owe more than an entire year's salary. That's concerning for an associate degree that should provide affordable career entry. Nationally, the typical marketing associate carries just $19,000 in debt, so students here are borrowing 62% more for substantially lower returns.

For parents weighing this program, the math is straightforward: if your child is considering marketing, they'd likely fare better at institutions with lower debt loads or stronger employment pipelines. The combination of below-average earnings and above-average debt makes this a high-risk investment, even among Missouri's community college options. Unless there are compelling local employment connections or this serves as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree elsewhere, families should explore alternatives.