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St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Fenton MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Nevada MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cottey College comes closer — median earnings $35,422 against a $55,220 total, vs $32,217 at St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSt Louis College of Health Careers-FentonCottey College
Net price / yr$24,395$13,805
Total net cost$48,790$55,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,217$35,422
Median debt$11,750$19,043
Payback
20-year net return-$371,650-$313,980

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

Which is cheaper, St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College?

Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $24,395 — a gap of $10,590 a year, or $6,430 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College graduates earn more?

Cottey College graduates report a median $35,422 ten years after entry, $3,205 more than the $32,217 at St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton. 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, St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College?

St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton: its completers carry a median $11,750 in federal loans versus $19,043 at Cottey College, a difference of $7,293. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

59% of students finish at St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton, 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.

St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton vs Cottey College: frequently asked questions

Is St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College a better value?
Cottey College 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, St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College?
Cottey College: $13,805/yr net price after aid versus $24,395/yr at St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton — a difference of $10,590 a year, or about $6,430 over four years.
Do St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Cottey College graduates earn a median $35,422 ten years after entry, versus $32,217 at St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton — a $3,205 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.