Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Ozarks vs Jefferson College
Compare average net price ($6,100 at College of the Ozarks; $7,378 at Jefferson College), ROI score (17.05 vs 13.82), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,592 vs $40,782), and admissions context (12% at College of the Ozarks; Open / not reported at Jefferson College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of the Ozarks | Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.05 ✓ | 13.82 |
| Avg net price | $6,100 ✓ | $7,378 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,400 ✓ | $29,512 |
| In-state tuition | $22,320 | $5,250 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,320 | $8,850 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,592 ✓ | $40,782 |
| Acceptance rate | 12% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 63.7% ✓ | 38.3% |
| Retention rate | 90.2% ✓ | 69% |
| Median debt | — | $9,285 |
| Enrollment | 1,444 | 2,552 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1118 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of the Ozarks | Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,381 | $6,048 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,140 | $5,745 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,022 ✓ | $8,614 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,409 ✓ | $9,711 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,426 ✓ | $10,568 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of the Ozarks | Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.3% | 44.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7% | 4.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.2% | 5.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.2% | 4.8% |
| Engineering, General | 5.7% | 1.7% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 3.4% | 0.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 0.6% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.8% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of the Ozarks reports the lower average net price by $1,278 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,112 difference over four years ($24,400 vs $29,512).
College of the Ozarks reports $810 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,592 vs $40,782). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90.2% at College of the Ozarks and 69% at Jefferson College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
College of the Ozarks vs Jefferson College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of the Ozarks is cheaper — average net price $6,100 per year vs $7,378 at Jefferson College. The annual difference of $1,278 adds up to about $5,112 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of the Ozarks reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,592 vs $40,782 at Jefferson College. The gap in the federal data is $810. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.