At a private college in Missouri, students can earn a full-tuition education by putting in consistent work during the school year instead of taking on loans.
Under the program, students work 15 hours a week on campus and complete two 40-hour work weeks during the school year. Those work-program credits, along with grants and the Tuition Assurance Scholarship, cover tuition.
Here's what to know
For the 2026-2027 year, College of the Ozarks had a "Cash Cost to Student" of $0 for tuition.
The school said it gets there by applying $8,400 from the work program toward the listed $25,095 tuition, using any qualifying state and federal aid, and then covering the remaining amount through the Tuition Assurance Scholarship that every student receives.
Other college costs are still separate. Room and board, books, and health/technology/services fees are not included in that tuition coverage.
The school said it avoids student lending programs and instead points students toward scholarships, work, and careful budgeting.
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More background
College of the Ozarks presented the tuition model as much a part of its identity as a financial arrangement. It described itself as "unique in higher education" and said donor support is what allows the tuition promise to continue.
"Friends of the College believe in and support what our unique institution stands for," the college said, including "hard work, Christian values, freedom from debt, and higher education in a Christian setting."
It also said first-year students are generally discouraged from working while classes are in session, indicating that the on-campus program is meant to be their primary work commitment during that period.
What's being done?
Beyond tuition, the college's budgeting guidance tells students to begin by identifying the resources they have available — such as savings, family contributions, income, and scholarships — and weigh those against expected costs like books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
For additional help, the school pointed students to outside scholarships, internships, and part-time or seasonal jobs. It also said eligible students may be able to use its Summer Work Education Program to help pay for housing and food.
That combination of institutional support and personal planning can provide a realistic path for students who want to limit what they owe after graduation.
As the school put it, "There are no student loans involved and there is no cash due from students for Tuition Assurance: Only good, solid, hard work."
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