Central vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Missouri 18:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Central vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 Central ($14,704 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 4.4% lower than at Cottey College ($10,740 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 174.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $17,512 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at Cottey College than at University of Central Missouri (about $8,962 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $18,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at University of Central Missouri (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 214.5% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($24,565 vs. $7,811).

Central vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central.

• Incoming Central students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cottey College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Missouri 19/25; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Cottey College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than Central (63.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Central vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Central vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central 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 University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $10,441 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($124 vs. $232).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.