Cottey College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Ferrum College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (763 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cottey College 6:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Cottey College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cottey College or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($14,704 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 15% lower than at Ferrum College ($11,240 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $958 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Ferrum College than at Cottey College (about $958 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 40.2% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($34,444 vs. $24,565).

Cottey College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cottey College or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College and Cottey College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 90 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 1030/1120; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cottey College - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cottey College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Cottey College vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Cottey College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cottey College and Ferrum 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 Ferrum College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($12,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($124 vs. $289).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 49%)

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.