Cottey College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cottey College in Nevada, MO with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 254 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cottey College 6:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Cottey College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cottey College or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Cottey College ($13,126 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 8.7% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,240 vs. $12,311).
• Cottey College is 167.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $17,256 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at Cottey College than at Missouri Western State University (about $6,696 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 165.7% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($24,565 vs. $9,245).

Cottey College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cottey College or MWSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWSU and Cottey College.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cottey College - Test-free; MWSU - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman Cottey College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Cottey College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cottey College and MWSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Missouri Western State University's six-year graduation rate is 27%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Cottey College.
• Graduates from Missouri Western State University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $9,818 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($124 vs. $225).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.