Degree Dividend
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Evangel University vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Springfield MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Nevada MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Evangel University comes closer — median earnings $46,573 against a $74,676 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEvangel UniversityCottey College
Net price / yr$18,669$13,805
Total net cost$74,676$55,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,573$35,422
Median debt$24,736$19,043
Payback
20-year net return-$110,416-$313,980

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Evangel University or Cottey College?

Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $18,669 — a gap of $4,864 a year, or $19,456 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Evangel University or Cottey College graduates earn more?

Evangel University graduates report a median $46,573 ten years after entry, $11,151 more than the $35,422 at Cottey College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Evangel University or Cottey College?

Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $24,736 at Evangel University, a difference of $5,693. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Evangel University, against 56% at Cottey College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Evangel University vs Cottey College: frequently asked questions

Is Evangel University or Cottey College a better value?
Evangel University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Evangel University or Cottey College?
Cottey College: $13,805/yr net price after aid versus $18,669/yr at Evangel University — a difference of $4,864 a year, or about $19,456 over four years.
Do Evangel University or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Evangel University graduates earn a median $46,573 ten years after entry, versus $35,422 at Cottey College — a $11,151 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.