SIUE vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Cottey College 6:1.

SIUE vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 SIUE ($14,704 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 22.4% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,240 vs. $14,490).
• Cottey College is 113.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $14,640 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.3% higher at Cottey College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $14,640 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 111.7% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($24,565 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 10 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE 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: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

SIUE vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $9,430 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SIUE graduates ($124 vs. $221).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE 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.