POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Forbes magazine awarded College of the Ozarks an “A+” financial grade, per their recently released 2023 College Financial Grades ranking.

Using the most recent data available from the government’s National Center for Education Statistics database, Forbes analyzed all private not-for-profit colleges in the U.S. with enrollment of more than 500 full-time students. Schools are graded by balance sheet strength and operational soundness, plus other indicators of a college’s financial condition, including endowment assets per full-time equivalent student, primary reserve ratio, return on assets, and the percentage of freshmen receiving institutional grants and instruction expenses per student. 

The mission of College of the Ozarks is to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to procure such training.

All students at College of the Ozarks work, rather than pay, for their education. The cost is met by a combination of gifts from donors, private scholarships, and grants. The College openly discourages debt by not participating in any kind of loans.

With a successful work program that employs nearly 1500 students in over 100 workstations, C of O not only ensures that their students graduate debt free, but also that the College remains financially healthy. 

“Our hardworking students, faculty, and staff have kept C of O’s financial health stronger than ever and continue giving our students the opportunity to graduate debt free,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, C of O president. “In the current economic climate, we must remain vigilant about controlling costs and being wise financial stewards of our entrusted resources to sustain financial health into the future. We are grateful for the faithful donors and friends of the college who appreciate our efforts to impart traditional Christian and American values to our students and have generously stood beside us for many years.”

For the full list & methodology, visit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2023/04/26/forbes-2023-college-financial-grades-the-strongest-and-weakest-colleges/?sh=9a04e6010974.