Admit rate has ranged 10%–21% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
College of the Ozarks, dubbed 'Hard Work U.', is a fiercely selective Christian liberal arts college where students work 15 hours a week to graduate debt-free. With a 12% acceptance rate and a no-nonsense ethos—no alcohol, no drugs, and mandatory patriotism—it attracts students who embrace its blend of conservative values, hands-on education, and a campus life steeped in tradition.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,444
In-state tuition
$22,320
Out-of-state tuition
$22,320
Housing
93% on-campus
Acceptance Rate
12%
4-Year Grad Rate
49%
Work Requirement
15 hrs/week
Median Salary (6 Yrs)
$36,507
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$41,592
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
6.8×
Graduation rate
64%
First-year retention
90%
First-generation share
33%
Endowment / student
$451,161
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
2.5 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$58,673
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$52,107
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,896
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$32,391
Agricultural Business and Management$30,409
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
80
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
49.6"
Annual snow
9.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
40
Scholarly works
223
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.3%
Bottom → top quintile
18%
From bottom quintile
18%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks's acceptance rate is approximately 12% (Point Lookout, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for College of the Ozarks?
Admitted students at College of the Ozarks typically score 1050–1220 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does College of the Ozarks cost?
At College of the Ozarks, the average net price (after aid) is about $6,100 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks enrolls approximately 1,444 undergraduate students.
Where is College of the Ozarks located?
College of the Ozarks is located in Point Lookout, MO.
Admissions
Getting into College of the Ozarks is tougher than most Ivy League schools, with a 12% acceptance rate (350 admits out of 2,919 applicants in 2024). The school enforces strict academic thresholds: applicants must rank in the top 50% of their high school class, boast a minimum 3.0 GPA, and score at least 20 on the ACT (1030 SAT). Middle 50% ranges are 20-25 ACT and 1050-1220 SAT, with math scores averaging 545. Admissions are rolling, starting October 1, and—uniquely—there’s no housing deposit required.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$28,381
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
The curriculum leans practical and patriotic, with top majors including Psychology, Business/Commerce, Accounting, and Animal Sciences. The school was recently named the No. 4 Best Bachelor’s College by Washington Monthly for its liberal arts focus. Programs emphasize hands-on learning, aligning with the school’s work-education model—students split time between classes and campus jobs. Notably, 16% of graduates major in Accounting, while Health Sciences and Animal Sciences round out the most popular fields.
Life here is strictly regimented: no alcohol, drugs, or smoking, and dorm life is mandatory for 93% of students. Traditions like lip-sync battles and intramural sports (flag football, softball) dominate the social scene, all framed by a strong Christian and patriotic culture. The campus vibe is wholesome but spirited, with events like 'The Catwalk' fostering community. Instagram reels showcase students playing intramurals with 'integrity and effort'—a nod to the school’s values.
The 4-year graduation rate is 49%, and median earnings six years post-graduation sit at $36,507—below national averages for similar colleges. While the 'graduate debt-free' promise holds (thanks to the work program), early-career salaries lag, averaging $29,000, roughly $10K lower than peers. U.S. News highlights the school’s strength in social mobility, but the trade-off is clear: you’ll leave without loans, but likely with a modest paycheck.
The sticker price—$36,182 for tuition and fees, $9,762 for room/board—is misleading. Thanks to the work-study program, 87% of students receive aid, slashing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $1,500. The Tuition Assurance Scholarship covers tuition only (not housing or books), but the real draw is the no-debt guarantee: 15 hours of weekly labor (campus jobs like farming or baking) covers costs entirely.
This isn’t just a college—it’s a ideological boot camp. Between mandatory work, chapel attendance, and a ban on vaping, it’s a throwback to 1950s Americana. The trade-offs are stark: freedom for frugality, partying for patriotism. But for students who buy into its vision—'Christ-like character, hard work, and patriotism'—it’s one of the few places where you can earn a degree without owing a dime.
College of the Ozarks logo · sourceVisit | Sights to See | College of the Ozarks · sourceVisiting College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout MO · sourceCollege of the Ozarks - Point Lookout, MO | Appily · source
