College of the Ozarks receives No. 1 Best Performers on Social Mobility in the Midwest and No. 2 Mos

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks has received new rankings from U.S News & World Report. The new rankings include: No. 1 Best Performers on Social Mobility – Regional Colleges in the Midwest, No. 2 Most Innovative Schools in the Midwest, No. 3 Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest, No. 4 Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the Midwest, No. 6 Best Value Regional College in the Midwest.  

For more than four decades, U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings have guided millions of students and families in their college search. The 2026 edition evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. This transparent, rigorous methodology offers a foundation for navigating the complex landscape of higher education.

“We are pleased to once again be ranked highly by U.S. News & Report, and especially to see acknowledgment given in the category of Social Mobility, noting the distinct advantages of a C of O education to positive career progression,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks. “Students at Hard Work U. don’t pay tuition; rather, they all work on campus to offset their cost of education. These recognitions honor the efforts of our students, and those of our staff and faculty. We aim to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic.”  

To view The U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings, visit College of the Ozarks - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges