Missouri Southern vs. College of the Ozarks

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO with College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Southern State University is larger than College of the Ozarks based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 1,454 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); College of the Ozarks is in Point Lookout, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Ozarks is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; College of the Ozarks 14:1.

Missouri Southern vs. College of the Ozarks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or College of the Ozarks? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Southern State University than College of the Ozarks ($11,626 vs. $11,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Ozarks are 3.5% lower than at Missouri Southern State University ($8,800 vs. $9,119).
• College of the Ozarks is 149.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $13,360 more per year; $22,320.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at College of the Ozarks than at Missouri Southern State University (about $5,240 more per year; $22,320.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Ozarks than at Missouri Southern State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Ozarks students is 190.9% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($22,097 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. College of the Ozarks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or College of the Ozarks? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of the Ozarks and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 150 points higher than at College of the Ozarks (1140).
• Incoming College of the Ozarks students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; College of the Ozarks 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; College of the Ozarks 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; College of the Ozarks - Required.
• Enrolled freshman College of the Ozarks students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than College of the Ozarks (12%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 81.1% at College of the Ozarks.

Missouri Southern vs. College of the Ozarks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and College of the Ozarks? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• College of the Ozarks's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from College of the Ozarks earn a median of about $200 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,800 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.