Northwest Missouri State University vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northwest Missouri State University comes closer — median earnings $47,885 against a $64,976 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northwest Missouri State University | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,244 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $64,976 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,885 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$74,476 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northwest Missouri State University or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $16,244 — a gap of $2,439 a year, or $9,756 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northwest Missouri State University or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Northwest Missouri State University graduates report a median $47,885 ten years after entry, $12,463 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, Northwest Missouri State University or Cottey College?
Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Northwest Missouri State University, a difference of $2,457. 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 54% at Northwest Missouri State 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.