Nursingat College of the Ozarks
Graduates earn $57,521/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $642K; scenarios range from $586K to $643K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at College of the Ozarks
The College of the Ozarks' distinctive work-study model and character-focused education often influence graduates' career paths, leading many to prioritize community and mission. This, combined with the regional labor market in Southwest Missouri, explains why initial earnings might differ from programs in major metropolitan areas. You'll find alumni making significant impacts in local hospitals and rural clinics, where the demand for dedicated nurses is high, but starting salaries reflect the regional economic landscape rather than urban centers.
While the listed advanced roles offer substantial compensation, reaching those positions typically requires further education or geographical mobility. To maximize your earning potential, consider pursuing specializations like Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practitioner after gaining initial experience, or explore opportunities in higher-paying markets. Your C of O education provides a strong foundation; leveraging it effectively means understanding both the local market and broader career progression pathways.
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 Nursing
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 Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Nursing at College of the Ozarks
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at College of the Ozarks?
This program scores 69/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $586,346 in decade earnings vs $642,929 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Nursing from College of the Ozarks?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is College of the Ozarks a hidden gem for Nursing?
After financial aid, the average student pays $30,676 over four years — 64% below the $85,160 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.