Business Administrationat College of the Ozarks
Graduates earn $39,081/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $523K; scenarios range from $484K to $525K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at College of the Ozarks
Your journey through College of the Ozarks' Business Administration program offers a distinctive path. While the institution is highly selective and known for its character-building work-study model, the regional labor market in southwestern Missouri plays a significant role in initial career outcomes. Many graduates find early opportunities within local small businesses, hospitality, or non-profits around the Branson/Springfield area, where starting salaries naturally differ from major metropolitan hubs.
The broad "Management and Operations" focus means your foundational skills are valuable across many sectors, but early roles often involve general administrative, supervisory, or operational tasks. These positions, while essential, are increasingly susceptible to automation, contributing to the noted AI risk. To truly leverage your unique work ethic and progress into the high-level management careers listed, you'll need to continuously specialize and pursue roles that demand complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, and advanced interpersonal leadership beyond routine operations. Consider actively seeking internships or entry-level positions in larger regional centers or industries that align with your long-term ambitions.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to College of the Ozarks's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Business Administration
How College of the Ozarks stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at College of the Ozarks
Other highest-scoring programs offered at College of the Ozarks, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Business Administration at College of the Ozarks
How does College of the Ozarks's Business Administration program score?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but College of the Ozarks trails the majority of Business Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at College of the Ozarks?
Lower starting pay at College of the Ozarks may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Business Administration at College of the Ozarks after financial aid?
Sticker price is $85,160, but the average net cost is $30,676 — a 64% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.