Cottey College Photo #0 - Cottey College Campus

Cottey College

1000 W Austin
Nevada, MO 64772
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
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Cottey College Photo #1 - Cottey College Campus
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Cottey College Photo #1 - Cottey College Campus
  • 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 261 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 27:1.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 43%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 261 students
  • Private-state tuition: $35,680
  • Acceptance Rate: 61%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
  • Minority enrollment: 31%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Cottey College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Missouri for:

Category
Attribute
Programs offered

School Overview

The teacher population of 154 teachers has declined by 6% over five years.
Cottey College
(MO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
4 or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private, non-profit
Public
Year Founded
1884
Campus Size
33 acres
Total Faculty
154 staff
55 staff
Number of Programs Offered
24
9
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Cottey College has declined by 7% 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 0.62. The school's diversity has declined by 17% over five years.
Total Enrollment
261 students
1,723 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
2:1
27:1
# Full-Time Students
261 students
619 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
1 students
1,104 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
262 students
1,074 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
261 students
708 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1 students
1,033 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
350 students
204 students

Showing 2010–2023. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
11%
6%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
6%
10%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
69%
57%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Two or more races
2%
4%
% Non Resident races
6%
1%
% Unknown races
3%
20%
Diversity Score
0.50
0.62

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

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) (Year 2023)
56%
62%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,500
$30,900

Tuition & Financial Aid

The private state tuition of $35,680 is more than the state average of $16,817. The private state tuition has grown by 56% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$35,680
$16,817
Tuition Notes
98% of students receive financial aid to help with the cost of attending Cottey.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
92%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Graduates
$21,500
$10,500

Showing 2010–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Acceptance Rate
61%
89%

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:
Chamber SingersDance
Theatre programWind Ensemble


Recreational Athletic Programs:
eSports

Source: 2025 (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 89%. Cottey College's acceptance rate is ranked among the top community colleges in Missouri with low acceptance rates.
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.
What is Cottey College's ranking?
Cottey College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Missouri for: Lowest acceptance rates and Most Programs Offered.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 261 students
  • Private-state tuition: $35,680
  • Acceptance Rate: 61%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
  • Minority enrollment: 31%
  • Source: Verified school update

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