Mission University vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mission University comes closer — median earnings $38,641 against a $85,532 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mission University | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,383 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $85,532 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,641 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $26,168 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$279,912 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mission University or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $21,383 — a gap of $7,578 a year, or $30,312 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mission University or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Mission University graduates report a median $38,641 ten years after entry, $3,219 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, Mission University or Cottey College?
Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $26,168 at Mission University, a difference of $7,125. 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 44% at Mission 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.