- Cottey College is an independent liberal arts and sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri. Founded in 1884 by Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard, it is owned and supported by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic women's organization. Cottey offers 15 baccalaureate degrees in the following programs: Biology, Business Administration, Criminology, Elementary Education, English, Environmental Studies, Health and Biomedical Sciences, History, International Business, International Relations, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Secondary Education, Theatre, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Cottey also offers associate degrees in Arts, Music, and Science.
School Highlights
Cottey College serves 314 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 2:1 is lower than the state community college average of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 41%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 314 students
- Private-state tuition: $35,680
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Student:teacher ratio: 2:1
- Minority enrollment: 31%
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
The teacher population of 154 teachers has declined by 6% over five years.
Cottey College
(MO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's
Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
154 staff
139 staff
Number of Programs Offered
15
16
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Cottey College has grown by 22% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 2:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Cottey College diversity score of 0.50 is less than the state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
314 students
2,125 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
2:1
16:1
# Full-Time Students
314 students
718 students
# Part-Time Students
1 students
1,407 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
314 students
246 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
314 students
834 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1 students
684 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
9 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
350 students
200 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
11%
6%
% Black
6%
10%
% White
69%
59%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
2%
4%
% Non Resident races
6%
1%
% Unknown races
3%
17%
Diversity Score
0.50
0.61
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
61%
32%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
56%
62%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,500
$30,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The private state tuition of $35,680 is more than the state average of $16,509. The private state tuition has grown by 56% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$35,680
$16,509
Tuition Notes
98% of students receive financial aid to help with the cost of attending Cottey.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
91%
Median Debt for Graduates
$21,500
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
61%
94%
SAT Reading
545
545
SAT Math
530
530
SAT Writing
510
510
ACT Composite
22
22
ACT English
21
21
ACT Math
20
20
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Sports
BasketballCross Country
Flag FootballGolf
SoftballTrack and Field
Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
5 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Chamber SingersDance
Theatre programWind Ensemble
Recreational Athletic Programs:
eSports
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Francine Irving Neff ‘46 - United States Treasurer from Julyrn1974 to September 1977
- Morgan Shaw Parker ‘96 - President & Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Dream (WNBA)
- Dr. Ann Marie Pendergast ‘77 - Anthony R. Means Cancer Biology Professor and Vice Chair ofrnPharmacology and Cancer Biology atrnDuke University School of Medicine
- Carol Littleton ‘62 - Academy Award nominated film editor. Editor of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Big Chill, Beloved, What Women Want, The Accidental Tourist and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cottey College cost?
Cottey College's private state tuition is approximately $35,680.
What schools are Cottey College often compared to?
Cottey Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Cox College by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Cottey College?
The acceptance rate of Cottey College is 61%, which is lower than the state average of 94%.
Who are famous alumni from Cottey College?
Cottey College famous alumni include: Francine Irving Neff ‘46, Morgan Shaw Parker ‘96, Dr. Ann Marie Pendergast ‘77 and Carol Littleton ‘62.
What sports does Cottey College offer?
Cottey College offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Golf, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Cottey College is Fort Scott Community College (19.1 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
2108 S Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223-2700
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223-2700
19.1 miles
| 2,059 students
Bolivar Technical College
Private not-for-profit
1135 North Oakland Avenue
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 777-5062
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 777-5062
53.9 miles
| 129 students
1801 N Cottonwood
Iola, KS 66749
(620) 365-5116
Iola, KS 66749
(620) 365-5116
56.6 miles
| 3,031 students
800 W 14th St
Chanute, KS 66720
(620) 431-2820
Chanute, KS 66720
(620) 431-2820
60.8 miles
| 2,057 students
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