At $7,340/yr net price, Ozarks Technical Community College graduates earn $36,455/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,455/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,340 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,360 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,455/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,455/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,453 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,952/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,690/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,191/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,080/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,412/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 | $49,627 | $15,249 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $44,747 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $41,087 | $12,750 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $38,721 | $8,216 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,433 | $14,512 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,208 | $10,360 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $36,848 | $14,907 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Certificate | $33,993 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $32,925 | $8,750 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $32,382 |
The Risk Factor
31.9% of students at Ozarks Technical Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Ozarks Technical Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. At $7,340 a year in net price and about $10,453 in median debt, you leave with little borrowed. But median earnings ten years out sit at $36,455, so this is a school built around keeping costs down, not driving up income.
The 31.9% graduation rate is the biggest number to watch. Two out of three students who start don't finish here on time, and a certificate or degree you never complete still leaves you with debt and no credential. The financial math only works if you actually graduate, so treat that rate as your main risk.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so any claim that one major pays off over another would be guesswork. What holds up is the structure: low tuition, low debt, entry-level wages typical of a technical two-year school feeding the Springfield-area job market.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30k, you pay $5,952. over $110k, you pay $12,412, more than double. Even the top tier stays cheap compared to most four-year options.
This school fits you if you want a trade or technical credential without borrowing much, plan to work locally, and can commit to finishing. It's a weak fit if you're chasing a high salary or expect a degree alone to move your earnings well above $36k. If graduating on schedule feels shaky, the low sticker price won't protect you from walking away with debt and no credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ozarks Technical Community College worth the money?
Ozarks Technical Community College offers reasonable value with low debt ($10,453 median) and affordable tuition ($7,340 net price), but graduates earn only $36,455 after 10 years. The school works best if you target high-paying programs like nursing or industrial technology rather than general studies.
What are the best paying programs at Ozarks Technical Community College?
Nursing programs at Ozarks Technical Community College lead to the highest earnings at $49,627 annually, followed by industrial production technology at $44,747. These programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings of $36,455.
How much debt do Ozarks Technical Community College graduates have?
Ozarks Technical Community College graduates carry a median debt of $10,453, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with only 32% of students graduating, many leave with debt but no credential.
What is the graduation rate at Ozarks Technical Community College?
Only 31.9% of students graduate from Ozarks Technical Community College within the expected timeframe. This low completion rate means most students don't finish their programs, which hurts the return on investment for the majority who enroll.