Missouri Valley College vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Missouri Valley College comes closer — median earnings $43,221 against a $72,344 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Missouri Valley College | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,086 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $72,344 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,221 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $25,950 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$175,124 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Missouri Valley College or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $18,086 — a gap of $4,281 a year, or $17,124 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Missouri Valley College or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Missouri Valley College graduates report a median $43,221 ten years after entry, $7,799 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, Missouri Valley College or Cottey College?
Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $25,950 at Missouri Valley College, a difference of $6,907. 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 22% at Missouri Valley 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.