Cottey College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Stephens College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (568 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cottey College 6:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Cottey College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cottey College or Stephens 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 Stephens College ($14,704 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 15.9% lower than at Stephens College ($11,240 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $738 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Stephens College than at Cottey College (about $738 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($24,565 vs. $23,341).

Cottey College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 120 points higher than at Cottey College (1080).
• Incoming Cottey College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 1030/1120; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 18/25; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cottey College - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cottey College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Cottey College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Cottey College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cottey College and Stephens 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 Stephens College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Stephens College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.