Social Workat College of the Ozarks
Graduates earn $32,701/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $411K; scenarios range from $405K to $411K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at College of the Ozarks
The College of the Ozarks' Social Work program, while housed at a selective institution, reflects the realities of the regional labor market and the field itself. Your initial earnings may fall below the national average, largely due to the geographic concentration of graduates in the southwest Missouri area, where the cost of living and corresponding salaries for public service and non-profit roles tend to be lower than in larger metropolitan hubs.
This program likely excels at preparing graduates for essential community-based roles within local agencies, schools, and healthcare systems across the Ozarks region. Many graduates find meaningful work directly serving vulnerable populations, often in positions with significant impact but more modest compensation. Your education here emphasizes a strong service ethic, which aligns well with the mission-driven nature of social work. To significantly boost your career trajectory and earning potential, especially for roles like social work management or teaching, pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) will be a critical next step after graduation.
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 Social Work
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 Social Work offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Social Work at College of the Ozarks
What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at College of the Ozarks?
At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Social Work at College of the Ozarks?
The 64% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $85,160. At a net cost of $30,676, the earnings multiple improves substantially.