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Head-to-head comparison

Saint Louis Community College vs College of the Ozarks: which has better ROI?

Public, Bridgeton MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Point Lookout MO

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College

Net price / year
$8,440
Earnings, 10 years
$35,325
Payback
No payback

Option B Point Lookout, MO

College of the Ozarks

Net price / year
$6,100
Earnings, 10 years
$41,592
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of the Ozarks comes closer — median earnings $41,592 against a $24,400 total, vs $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Louis Community CollegeCollege of the Ozarks
Net price / yr$8,440$6,100
Total net cost$16,880$24,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,325$41,592
Median debt$6,725—
Payback——
20-year net return-$277,580-$159,760

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Saint Louis Community College or College of the Ozarks?

College of the Ozarks, at $6,100 a year after aid versus $8,440 — a gap of $2,340 a year, or $7,520 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Saint Louis Community College or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?

College of the Ozarks graduates report a median $41,592 ten years after entry, $6,267 more than the $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at College of the Ozarks, against 21% at Saint Louis Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Saint Louis Community College vs College of the Ozarks: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Louis Community College or College of the Ozarks a better value?
College of the Ozarks comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Saint Louis Community College or College of the Ozarks?
College of the Ozarks: $6,100/yr net price after aid versus $8,440/yr at Saint Louis Community College — a difference of $2,340 a year, or about $7,520 over four years.
Do Saint Louis Community College or College of the Ozarks graduates earn more?
College of the Ozarks graduates earn a median $41,592 ten years after entry, versus $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College — a $6,267 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.