Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Ozarks vs Washington University in St Louis
Compare average net price ($6,100 at College of the Ozarks; $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis), ROI score (17.05 vs 9.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,592 vs $86,182), and admissions selectivity (12% acceptance at College of the Ozarks; 12.1% at Washington University in St Louis) 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 | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.05 ✓ | 9.89 |
| Avg net price | $6,100 ✓ | $21,786 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,400 ✓ | $87,144 |
| In-state tuition | $22,320 | $65,790 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,320 | $65,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,592 | $86,182 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 12% | 12.1% |
| Graduation rate | 63.7% | 94.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 90.2% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $17,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,444 | 7,857 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1118 | 1530 |
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 | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,381 | $1,716 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,140 | $1,928 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,022 ✓ | $5,578 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,409 ✓ | $12,603 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,426 ✓ | $42,170 |
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 | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.8% | 5.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7% | 0% |
| Psychology, General | 6.8% | 0.1% |
| Social Work | 2.6% | 3.9% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 0.3% | 5.6% |
| Computer Science | 0.8% | 4.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 1% |
| Biology, General | 2.1% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of the Ozarks reports the lower average net price by $15,686 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $62,744 difference over four years ($24,400 vs $87,144).
Washington University in St Louis reports $44,590 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($86,182 vs $41,592). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90.2% at College of the Ozarks and 95% at Washington University in St Louis. 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.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
College of the Ozarks vs Washington University in St Louis, answered
4 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 $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis. The annual difference of $15,686 adds up to about $62,744 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Washington University in St Louis reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $86,182 vs $41,592 at College of the Ozarks. The gap in the federal data is $44,590. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
College of the Ozarks is more selective at 12% acceptance vs 12.1% at Washington University in St Louis.
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.