Cottey College: 73.0% Acceptance Rate

73.0%Acceptance

$26,209Tuition

266Students

61%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,422Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Cottey College

This 140-year-old institution is one of the few remaining women's colleges in the Midwest. With just 266 students, Cottey College creates an intimate academic environment in rural Missouri where every voice matters. The college operates on a unique model, offering both associate and bachelor's degrees with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention. Students come from across the country, with 72% arriving from out-of-state to experience this close-knit community.

The financial picture tells a compelling story about accessibility. While tuition lists at $26,209, students typically pay $18,154 after aid thanks to institutional grants averaging $17,308. Graduates earn a median of $35,422 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $19,043 manageable with monthly payments around $202. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's commitment to economic diversity.

The tight-knit community shows in the numbers. With a 61% retention rate and housing capacity for 350 students, campus life centers on building lasting connections. The 98% employment rate for graduates demonstrates that employers value the leadership skills and confidence that emerge from this supportive all-women environment.

Academics & Faculty

Cottey College operates as a small liberal arts women's college where students receive intensive academic attention through a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The college serves just 266 students, creating an intimate learning environment where professors know every student personally. About 59% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the close mentoring relationships that develop on campus. The college offers both associate and bachelor's degrees with strong programs in education, business, and the sciences. Students often pursue pre-professional tracks in medicine, law, and veterinary science. The small class sizes mean extensive discussion-based learning and individualized research opportunities that larger universities cannot provide.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 84.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 58.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 61.4%
Retention Rate: 61.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,422
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$13,702

View all 20 programs →

Campus Life

Nevada, Missouri sits about 100 miles south of Kansas City in the rural Midwest. With 266 students spread across a 350-person housing capacity, nearly every Comet lives on campus in this tight-knit women's college community. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic struggles personally.

Winters require heavy coats and snow boots, while humid summers call for plenty of air conditioning breaks between classes. Weekend activities center around campus life since the nearest major city requires a two-hour drive. Students organize movie nights, intramural sports, and study groups in residence halls. The college's 140-year history as a women's institution creates strong sisterhood traditions and mentorship programs between classes.

With 72% of students traveling from out of state, campus becomes home base for most Comets. The small Missouri town offers limited off-campus entertainment, so students create their own social scene through campus organizations and residence hall programming. Academic intensity balances with close friendships formed in this isolated but supportive environment.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 350 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1884

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–42°F
July Avg: 69°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.5"
Annual Snowfall: -769.0"

Student Demographics

Cottey College draws women from across the country to rural Missouri, with nearly three-quarters of students coming from out of state. This national reach reflects the school's unique position as one of the few remaining women's colleges. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing Cottey's commitment to making education accessible to women from working-class families. The college maintains its founding mission of helping women through education, attracting students who value the tight-knit community and personalized attention that comes with just 266 students on campus.

Men: 0.0%
Women: 100.0%
White: 72.9%
Black: 6.8%
Hispanic: 10.5%
Asian: 1.5%
In-State Students: 28.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 45.3%

Location

Cottey College sits in Nevada, Missouri, a small town about 100 miles south of Kansas City. The campus serves just 266 students in a remote setting that defines rural college life. Nevada has roughly 8,000 residents and functions as a quiet county seat surrounded by farmland and prairie. The town offers a classic small-town atmosphere where students know their neighbors and local businesses become familiar gathering spots. This remote location creates an intimate community feel but limits access to big-city internships and cultural attractions. The nearest metropolitan area requires a two-hour drive through Missouri's rolling countryside. Students considering colleges in Missouri may also compare Cottey College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Nevada, Missouri 64772

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,422
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,805
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $202/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $19,043

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Cottey College?

Cottey College accepts 73% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a women's college. This private institution founded in 1884 maintains its focus on providing intimate educational experiences for around 266 students.

How much does Cottey College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $18,154 after financial aid, less than the $26,209 sticker price. About 45% of students receive Pell Grants, and the college provides institutional grants averaging $17,308 to nearly half of all students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Cottey College?

The student-faculty ratio is 6:1, ensuring personalized attention in this small women's college environment. With only 266 total students, Cottey emphasizes close mentoring relationships and individualized academic support.

What are typical earnings for Cottey College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $35,422 ten years after graduation, with strong employment rates of 98.2%. The college's focus on women's education and small class sizes helps prepare students for career success, though graduates carry a median debt of $19,043.

Where is Cottey College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Nevada, Missouri, a remote town setting that creates a tight-knit campus community. With housing capacity for 350 students and current enrollment of 266, nearly all students can live on campus for $9,450 in room and board.

Is Cottey College exclusively for women?

Yes, Cottey College maintains its historic identity as a women's college with 100% female enrollment. This 140-year-old institution continues the tradition of women's education, drawing students from across the country with only 28% coming from Missouri.