Hannibal-LaGrange University vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hannibal-LaGrange University comes closer — median earnings $42,643 against a $91,256 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Hannibal-LaGrange University | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,814 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $91,256 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,643 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $18,599 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$205,596 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Hannibal-LaGrange University or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $22,814 — a gap of $9,009 a year, or $36,036 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Hannibal-LaGrange University or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Hannibal-LaGrange University graduates report a median $42,643 ten years after entry, $7,221 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, Hannibal-LaGrange University or Cottey College?
Hannibal-LaGrange University: its completers carry a median $18,599 in federal loans versus $19,043 at Cottey College, a difference of $444. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Cottey College, against 50% at Hannibal-LaGrange University. 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.