Admit rate has ranged 46%–73% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Cottey College is a rare breed: a tiny, all-women's liberal arts college in rural Missouri with a fiercely loyal alumnae network and a culture steeped in quirky traditions (ducks and daisies feature prominently). With a 70% acceptance rate and an intimate academic environment, it attracts students who thrive in a close-knit, empowering community where leadership development is baked into everything from dorm life to research opportunities.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
254
In-state tuition
$27,562
Out-of-state tuition
$27,562
Type
Private, all-women's liberal arts college
Housing
84% on-campus
Location
Nevada, MO
Notable Quirk
Ducks and daisies as unofficial mascots
Acceptance Rate
~70%
Most Popular Majors
Liberal Arts, Psychology, Biology
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
53-61%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$35,422
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$19,043
Graduation rate
56%
First-year retention
67%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
68%
First-generation share
31%
Endowment / student
$425,607
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
77
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
42.8"
Annual snow
12"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
16
Scholarly works
79
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Cottey College?
Cottey College's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (Nevada, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Cottey College cost?
At Cottey College, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,805 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Cottey College?
Cottey College enrolls approximately 254 undergraduate students.
Where is Cottey College located?
Cottey College is located in Nevada, MO.
Admissions
Cottey College is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 70% (sources vary slightly between 66-70.23%). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 18-25 on the ACT or 800-1180 on the SAT, though the college emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process. Notably, 100% of students receive financial aid, with merit scholarships starting at $8,000 and going up to full tuition. The application deadline is rolling, offering flexibility for applicants.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Cottey offers associate and bachelor’s degrees with a focus on liberal arts and pre-professional programs. The most popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Biology, though the college also emphasizes Business Administration, Education, and Environmental Studies. Small class sizes and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio create an intimate learning environment. Unique to Cottey is its international student body (20% of students), which enriches classroom discussions with global perspectives. The college participates in the College Consortium, allowing students to take pre-approved transfer courses for additional flexibility.
Life at Cottey revolves around women’s empowerment and progressive values, with a campus culture that’s vibrant and tradition-heavy. Key quirks:
Ducks and daisies are unofficial mascots, symbolizing resilience and growth.
84% of students live on campus in suite-style dorms that foster tight-knit communities (one student raves: 'It’s very apartment style... you really get close with all the girls around you').
25+ clubs and organizations range from cultural groups to academic societies, with a strong emphasis on global awareness.
Annual traditions include the Hanging of the Greens (a holiday decorating ceremony) and frequent singing events that bond classes across generations.
Cottey’s 6-year graduation rate is 53-61%, placing it in the top 45% nationally for retention. Alumni earnings are modest but climb steadily:
$22,183 median income 1 year post-graduation
$38,805 median income 5 years out (though this lags behind the national average for 4-year colleges).
The college emphasizes leadership and global citizenship, with many graduates pursuing careers in education, nonprofit work, or STEM fields. Notably, 40% of students graduate within 150% of the expected time (3 years for associate degrees), suggesting some students take longer to complete their programs.
Cottey is relatively affordable for a private college, with a net price of $13,805-$17,296 after aid. Key details:
100% of students receive financial aid, with an average package of $30,627.
Merit scholarships range from $8,000 to full tuition, awarded at admission.
The college offers grants, work-study programs, and loan counseling to minimize debt. One standout: the Student Life Scholarship, awarded annually to three returning students who demonstrate leadership and engagement.
Cottey’s magic lies in its unapologetic focus on women’s leadership within a quirky, tradition-rich community. It’s one of only two non-sectarian women’s colleges in the U.S., offering a rare blend of global perspectives (thanks to its international student body) and Midwestern warmth. The college punches above its weight in undergraduate research opportunities, and its alumnae network is ferociously loyal—a testament to the lifelong bonds formed over duck-themed rituals and late-night suite chats. For students seeking a small, supportive environment where they can grow into confident leaders, Cottey delivers in ways bigger schools simply can’t.
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