Analysis
A $26,000 debt load paired with first-year earnings around $45,400 creates a manageable financial foundation—comparable programs across Arkansas suggest graduates enter the workforce earning close to the state median for marketing majors. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates could theoretically dedicate half a year's salary to eliminating their loans entirely. With 36% of students receiving Pell grants, the university serves many families for whom accessibility matters as much as outcomes.
The challenge lies in what we don't know. Because University of the Ozarks graduates too few marketing majors for the Department of Education to report specific outcomes, these figures draw from other Arkansas programs and similar private colleges nationally. The state's top marketing programs show a $12,000 spread between University of Arkansas ($50,045) and University of Central Arkansas ($38,011), suggesting that school choice matters—but without hard data from Ozarks itself, you're making this decision partially blind.
For families comfortable with that uncertainty, the fundamentals look reasonable: manageable debt for a credential that should support loan repayment. But if you need certainty about return on investment, consider reaching out to Ozarks directly for placement rates and recent graduate outcomes—information the federal data simply can't provide for smaller programs.
Where University of the Ozarks Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,950 | $45,395* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $9,748 | $50,045* | $66,956 | $21,500* | 0.43 | |
| $24,888 | $46,738* | — | $27,000* | 0.58 | |
| $7,754 | $44,051* | $35,744 | $26,241* | 0.60 | |
| $10,118 | $38,011* | $38,602 | $20,633* | 0.54 | |
| National Median | — | $44,728* | — | $24,267* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Marketing Managers
Sales Managers
Fundraising Managers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Fundraisers
Survey Researchers
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 University of the Ozarks, approximately 36% 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 4 similar programs in AR. Actual outcomes may vary.