La Sierra University vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Cottey College 6:1.

La Sierra University vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University ($14,704 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 16.3% lower than at La Sierra University ($11,240 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $10,148 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at La Sierra University than at Cottey College (about $10,148 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($27,646 vs. $24,565).

La Sierra University vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 70 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cottey College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

La Sierra University vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $18,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($12,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $186 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($124 vs. $310).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

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.