Cottey College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cottey College in Nevada, MO with Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Wesleyan University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,198 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cottey College 6:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cottey College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cottey College or Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University ($14,704 vs. $15,125).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 15.9% lower than at Cottey College ($9,458 vs. $11,240).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University is 11.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $3,252 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at Cottey College (about $3,252 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($24,692 vs. $24,565).

Cottey College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cottey College or Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University and Cottey College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 50 points higher than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030).
• Incoming Cottey College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Tennessee Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 1030/1120; Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 18/25; Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cottey College - Test-free; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Cottey College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than Tennessee Wesleyan University (68.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Cottey College vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Cottey College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cottey College and Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates ($12,000 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates ($124 vs. $193).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.