Columbia College vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Columbia College vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Cottey College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cottey College than Columbia College ($14,704 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 15% lower than at Cottey College ($9,552 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $1,736 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Cottey College than at Columbia College (about $1,736 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 54.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($24,565 vs. $15,882).

Columbia College vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Cottey College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cottey College and Columbia College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Cottey College (3.39).

Columbia College vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Cottey College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $10,034 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($124 vs. $227).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.