Cottey College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cottey College 6:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Cottey College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cottey College or Columbia 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 Columbia College ($14,704 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 16.5% lower than at Cottey College ($9,390 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $5,348 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Cottey College than at Columbia College (about $5,348 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 49.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($24,565 vs. $16,451).

Cottey College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cottey College or Columbia 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 Columbia College and Cottey College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 80 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Cottey College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 1030/1120; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cottey College 18/25; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cottey College - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Cottey College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Cottey College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cottey College and Columbia 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 Columbia College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $13,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($12,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($124 vs. $261).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 43%)

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.