Admit rate has ranged 50%–60% 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.
University of the Ozarks is a small, private liberal arts college in Clarksville, Arkansas, known for its holistic admissions approach, strong job placement rates, and a multidisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning. With a 59.5% acceptance rate and a focus on student engagement, it offers a tight-knit community where 98% of recent graduates achieve post-graduation success.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
767
In-state tuition
$25,950
Out-of-state tuition
$25,950
Acceptance Rate
59.5%
Majors & Minors
60+
Job Placement Rate
95%
Net Cost (After Aid)
$16,651
Student Organizations
25+
4-Year Graduation Rate
42%
Median Salary (6 Years After Graduation)
$37,651
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$44,384
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$20,875
Graduation rate
51%
First-year retention
69%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
68%
First-generation share
35%
Endowment / student
$184,521
Financial health
2.4 / 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.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$35,416
Business Administration, Management and Operations$33,993
Biology, General$29,685
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.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
1.30
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
71
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
35°F
Annual rain
54.6"
Annual snow
3.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
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
44
Scholarly works
363
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
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
10%
From bottom quintile
9%
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 University of the Ozarks?
University of the Ozarks's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Clarksville, AR), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of the Ozarks?
Admitted students at University of the Ozarks typically score 1020–1160 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of the Ozarks cost?
At University of the Ozarks, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,360 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of the Ozarks?
University of the Ozarks enrolls approximately 767 undergraduate students.
Where is University of the Ozarks located?
University of the Ozarks is located in Clarksville, AR.
Admissions
University of the Ozarks takes a holistic approach to admissions, evaluating applicants based on courses, grades, GPA, and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). The Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. is 59.5%, with admitted students typically having an average GPA of 3.44, an average SAT score of 1049, and an average ACT score of 20. Extracurricular activities receive special consideration in the admissions process, and there is no set deadline for admitted students to reply to an offer. The university does not require a housing deposit, making it more accessible for students.
Application Requirements: Completed application form, official high school transcript (through at least the sixth semester).
No Early Decision or Early Action—applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
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.
Academics
Ozarks offers over 60 majors and minors, ranging from Business Administration to Sustainable Agriculture, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary learning. The curriculum encourages exploration, with popular majors including Psychology, Business/Commerce, Accounting, and Animal Sciences. The university prides itself on a student-oriented approach, fostering innovation and hands-on experiences.
Life at Ozarks is active and community-driven, with over 25 student-led clubs and organizations covering interests from academics to recreation. The Office of Student Life oversees engagement, residential life, and student conduct, ensuring a supportive environment. Most students live on campus, fostering a tight-knit community.
Campus Culture: Strong emphasis on student involvement, leadership opportunities, and social events.
Residential Life: Majority of students live in university-affiliated housing, enhancing campus cohesion.
Ozarks boasts an impressive 98% success rate for recent graduates, with 95% job placement—well above the national average. The median salary six years after graduation is $37,651, and the 4-year graduation rate is 42%.
Career Support: Strong alumni network, career counseling, and internship opportunities.
Graduate Success: High employment rates in fields like business, education, and healthcare.
The average net cost after scholarships and grants is $16,651, with 78% of first-year students receiving Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements.. The average financial aid package is $26,505, and the university offers grants, scholarships, and loans to help offset costs.
Tuition Assistance: Scholarships cover tuition (but not housing, fees, or books).
Financial Aid Options: Federal and state grants, institutional scholarships, and work-study programs.
Ozarks distinguishes itself with its high job placement rate (95%), holistic admissions process, and strong emphasis on student engagement. The multidisciplinary curriculum and small class sizes foster close faculty-student relationships, while the affordable net cost makes it accessible. The university’s 98% post-graduation success rate speaks to its commitment to student outcomes.
University of the Ozarks logo · sourceUniversity of the Ozarks | A Multidisciplinary Approach to Education · sourceUniversity of the Ozarks | A Multidisciplinary Approach to Education · sourceU of O Ranked 7th by U.S. News - University of the Ozarks · source
