Teacher Educationat College of the Ozarks
Graduates earn $32,676/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Teacher Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $408K; scenarios range from $402K to $403K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at College of the Ozarks
The financial outcomes for College of the Ozarks' teacher education program reflect the realities of regional K-12 education, particularly in rural Missouri. While the institution is highly selective, many graduates enter local school districts where salaries for new teachers, while stable, are generally lower than in more competitive urban or affluent suburban areas nationwide. Your earnings trajectory will largely depend on the specific district you join and how quickly you pursue advanced degrees or specialized endorsements.
The noted AI risk isn't about robots replacing teachers, but rather how technology will increasingly augment classroom instruction, requiring you to adapt lesson planning, assessment, and student engagement strategies. To maximize your prospects, leverage CofO's strong practical training and consider specializing in high-demand areas or pursuing dual certification, making you an invaluable asset in any school.
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 Teacher Education
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 Teacher Education offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Teacher Education at College of the Ozarks
What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at College of the Ozarks?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Teacher Education programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education at College of the Ozarks?
The 30% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is College of the Ozarks a good choice for Teacher Education despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If College of the Ozarks's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Teacher Education 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.