At $4,396/yr net price, Ozarka College graduates earn $29,314/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,396 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,584 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $29,314/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-4,686/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,818 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,769/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,231/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,373/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $1,795/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,733 | $9,384 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $24,421 | $9,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $22,192 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $13,702 |
The Risk Factor
43.6% of students at Ozarka College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Ozarka College gives you a low-cost entry into higher education, but the payoff depends almost entirely on one program. At under $4,400 a year with a median debt below $10,000, the upfront risk is small. The problem is what most graduates earn afterward: a median of $29,314 ten years out sits close to what many jobs pay without any college at all.
The split between programs here is stark. The associate degree in registered nursing pays roughly $52,733, more than double the school-wide median, and it carries the same modest debt load as everything else. That one credential is the reason to enroll. The practical nursing certificate lands around $24,421, less than half the RN figure despite similar debt, so the certificate is a weak stopping point unless you plan to continue toward the associate RN.
Everything outside nursing looks thin. Teacher education associate graduates earn about $22,192, and liberal arts and general studies come in around $13,702. If you finish a general studies associate and stop there, the earnings barely justify the time, even at this price. Those programs make sense only as a transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere.
The 43.6% graduation rate is the other risk. Cheap tuition doesn't help you if you leave without the credential, and nearly six in ten students don't finish on time. Small debt still hurts when there's no degree attached to it.
Net price actually drops as family income rises into the $48k-$110k range, falling under $1,800 for the $75k-$110k tier, while families under $48k pay more. If your household is in that middle band and you're aiming for the RN track, Ozarka is a strong financial bet. If you want anything other than nursing, treat it as a transfer launch point and plan to move on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ozarka College worth the money?
Ozarka College offers good value for nursing students, with registered nursing graduates earning $52,733 annually against a low net price of $4,396 per year. However, the 44% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Ozarka College?
Registered nursing is by far the best financial choice at Ozarka College, with graduates earning $52,733 per year. Other programs like liberal arts ($13,702) and teacher education ($22,192) offer much lower earning potential.
How much debt do Ozarka College graduates have?
Ozarka College graduates leave with a median debt of $9,818, which is manageable for nursing graduates but could be problematic for lower-earning programs. The low annual cost helps keep debt levels reasonable.
Should I avoid Ozarka College if I'm not studying nursing?
Non-nursing programs at Ozarka College generally offer poor financial returns, with liberal arts graduates earning just $13,702 annually. Consider other options unless you have specific career goals that don't require higher earnings.