Computer Programming at Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, MO · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 8,194 in Springfield, MO.

Program Analysis

At $37,074/yr, Computer Programming graduates from Ozarks Technical Community College land near the $41,895 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 51.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 78% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Programming graduates.

The median debt load of $11,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #22 out of 35 programs, Ozarks Technical Community College's financial outcomes for Computer Programming trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $37,074 to $43,409 over five years (17% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
59
Score
62
High End
Earnings $37,074/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (22% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (162,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$446K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,368
Out-of-state: $13,744
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,250
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,409
17% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Programming graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Software developers $133,080 +15.8% 13%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers $102,610 +10.0% 12%
Computer programmers $98,670 -6.0% 5%
Software developers
$133,080
+15.8% growth 13% AI-proof
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
+10.0% growth 12% AI-proof
Computer programmers
$98,670
-6.0% growth 5% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Programming Career Guide

Explore what Computer Programming graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 35 programs nationwide.

Read the full Computer Programming career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Programming Overview

Computer Programming at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ozarks Technical Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ozarks Technical Community College's Computer Programming program score?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Programming programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Computer Programming to AI automation?
AI exposure of 78% is a real factor. For Ozarks Technical Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($445,580) and pessimistic ($387,875) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How many job openings are there for Computer Programming graduates?
At 162,300 annual openings, Computer Programming has a very large employment base. Ozarks Technical Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →