SC vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

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

Sterling College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (694 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SC vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC 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 SC ($14,704 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 14.7% lower than at Cottey College ($9,586 vs. $11,240).
• Sterling College is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $6,138 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.3% higher at SC than at Cottey College (about $6,138 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($24,565 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC 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 SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 50 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Cottey College (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Cottey College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

SC vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC 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 Sterling 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 $12,663 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($12,000 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($124 vs. $255).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.