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Cottey College

Nevada, MO·Private nonprofit·254 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

69%
Accept
254
Students
$13,805
Net Price
56%
Grad Rate
$34,700
Earnings
10 yr
$19,043
Debt

About This School

Cottey College is a private nonprofit institution located in Nevada, Missouri with approximately 254 undergraduate students enrolled. Cottey College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 69%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,805 per year. The graduation rate is 56%, and the typical graduate earns $34,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Cottey College is a private women's college in Nevada, Missouri. It was founded by Virginia Alice (Cottey) Stockard in 1884. Since 1927, it has been owned and supported by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic women's organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. For most of its history, Cottey was a two-year liberal arts college, and in 2011 it achieved accreditation as a four-year baccalaureate-granting college. It had 266 students enrolled in 2023.

Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, women-focused liberal arts experience — with only 266 students and a low median debt of $11,000, it offers an intimate environment at a relatively manageable cost. That said, the 61% graduation rate is a real concern, meaning roughly 4 in 10 students don't finish, and median earnings of $34,700 a decade out suggest limited financial upside for many graduates. Go in with a clear plan and honest self-assessment about whether this environment will keep you engaged and on track.

Founded
1884
Setting
Remote town
Avg Faculty Salary
$5,576

Popular Programs

Psychology18%
Business & Marketing12%
Biological Sciences12%
Social Sciences10%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Education3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite22

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$27,562
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,562
Avg Net Price
$13,805
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$14,093
$30–48k$10,634
$48–75k$12,063
$75–110k$15,732
$110k+$18,130

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants46%
Median debt at graduation$19,043

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
56%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
67%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,043
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,043
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$26,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White70%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian2%
Two or more races1%
American Indian/Alaska Native3%
International5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (254 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Cottey College

1000 W Austin

Nevada, MO 64772

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Missouri

Browse all Missouri schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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