Stephens College vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Stephens College comes closer — median earnings $43,071 against a $93,836 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stephens College | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,459 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $93,836 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,071 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$199,616 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stephens College or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $23,459 — a gap of $9,654 a year, or $38,616 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stephens College or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Stephens College graduates report a median $43,071 ten years after entry, $7,649 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, Stephens College or Cottey College?
Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Stephens College, a difference of $7,957. 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 43% at Stephens 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.