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Cottey College

Nevada, Missouri 64772

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitCollege town

Known for biology — close-knit campus

Cottey College is a private institution in Nevada with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1190, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 266 undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $35,422 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,154.

Established
1884
Motto
Creators of Incredible Futures
Mascot
Comet (The mascot of Cottey sports teams),The Duck (The "Senior Class" mascot)
Type
Private women's college
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

66%Acceptance
1190SAT Avg
266Students
6:1Student:Faculty
61%Grad Rate
$35,422Earnings 10yr
$18,154Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate66.3%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1424

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$26,209
Room & Board$9,450
Books & Supplies$1,188
Total Cost of Attendance$36,726
Average Net Price$18,154
Median Debt at Graduation$19,043
Monthly Payment (10yr)$202

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,399
$30–48K$16,718
$48–75K$18,588
$75–110K$18,591
$110K+$20,118

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

44.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

1

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

0

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

0

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (20)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

61%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
266
Gender Split
100% / 0%
Women / Men
First Generation
31%
Pell Grant Recipients
45%

Race & Ethnicity

White 73%
Black 7%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 2%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.5%
Freshman Retention61.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$32,903
10 Years$35,422

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Beginnings Cottey College, circa 1910 Cottey College was founded by Virginia Alice Cottey (known as Alice Cottey) in 1884; she originally called it Vernon Seminary, based on the county.
  • After teaching at Central College in Lexington, Missouri, since 1875, Cottey decided she wanted to establish her own school.
  • Vernon Seminary opened in 1884 as a primary, intermediate, and collegiate preparatory school.
  • In 1886, the school's name was officially changed to Cottey College.
  • By 1932, the college consisted only of the higher education part, offering a two-year program.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

88Low

Estimated from MO state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
88 mi(153 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
233 mi(404 min)
Dallaspop. 1.3M
375 mi(650 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City103 mi
STL St Louis226 mi
OKC Oklahoma City246 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1267 mi · ~36h 36m drive
New York, NY1105 mi · ~31h 55m drive
Hartford, CT1180 mi · ~34h 5m drive
Providence, RI1245 mi · ~35h 58m drive
Albany, NY1134 mi · ~32h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Rochester, NY952 mi · ~27h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Philadelphia, PA1041 mi · ~30h 4m drive
Pittsburgh, PA790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
Harrisburg, PA951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Newark, NJ1096 mi · ~31h 40m drive
Washington, DC940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Baltimore, MD963 mi · ~27h 49m drive
Atlanta, GA626 mi · ~18h 5m drive
Charlotte, NC772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Raleigh, NC881 mi · ~25h 27m drive
Miami, FL1176 mi · ~33h 58m drive
Orlando, FL987 mi · ~28h 31m drive
Tampa, FL970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Nashville, TN434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
New Orleans, LA598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Richmond, VA925 mi · ~26h 43m drive
Chicago, IL453 mi · ~13h 5m drive
Detroit, MI674 mi · ~19h 28m drive
Minneapolis, MN497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
St. Louis, MO233 mi · ~6h 44m drive
Kansas City, MO88 mi · ~2h 33m drive
Indianapolis, IN462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Columbus, OH628 mi · ~18h 9m drive
Cleveland, OH719 mi · ~20h 46m drive
Milwaukee, WI494 mi · ~14h 16m drive
Dallas, TX375 mi · ~10h 50m drive
Houston, TX561 mi · ~16h 12m drive
Austin, TX557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
San Antonio, TX628 mi · ~18h 9m drive
Los Angeles, CA1357 mi · ~39h 12m drive
San Francisco, CA1525 mi · ~44h 3m drive
San Diego, CA1330 mi · ~38h 25m drive
Seattle, WA1560 mi · ~45h 4m drive
Portland, OR1544 mi · ~44h 36m drive
Denver, CO586 mi · ~16h 56m drive
Phoenix, AZ1037 mi · ~29h 57m drive
Salt Lake City, UT957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
Honolulu, HI3907 mi · ~112h 52m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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