Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Nevada, Missouri
66.3% Acceptance Rate
Cottey College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
66.3%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
1190Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$36,726Annual Cost
$35,422Grad Salary
45.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
66.3%
Avg GPA
3.39
Avg SAT
1190
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1220
ACT Middle 50%
14–24
Need-Based Aid
45.3% receive Pell
Cottey College, founded in 1884, is one of America's few remaining women's colleges with strong international programs. The Nevada, Missouri campus includes the new Center for the Arts. Cottey's 'Global Perspective' requirement includes study abroad opportunities.
Cottey College Acceptance Rate
Cottey College is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Cottey College is 66.3%. This means that 66 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 66.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Cottey College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Cottey College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Cottey College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2027) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Cottey College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Cottey College is 3.39. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.59-3.79 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.09 and 3.39, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Cottey College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Cottey College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.39, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- First-year admission requires no personal essay, no letter of recommendation, and no application fee; it's test-optional with a 2.6 minimum GPA and a college-prep curriculum (4 years English, 2 history/government, 3 math/science/foreign language).
- Owned and operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1927 - the only nonsectarian college in the U.S. owned and operated by women; P.E.O. affiliation is not required to receive P.E.O.-funded scholarships, but a local chapter's recommendation letter often is.
- A funded, required international study trip is built into the sophomore year (past destinations include Rome, London, Florence, Madrid).
- Priority deadline for merit scholarships and financial aid review is December 31; science-major and fine-arts scholarships (the latter requiring a portfolio or audition) carry a February 1 priority deadline.
- The Rigor Metric: At Cottey College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Cottey College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Cottey College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Cottey College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Cottey College Without SAT or ACT?
Cottey College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Cottey College Average SAT Score: 1190
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Cottey College is 1190 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1190 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1190 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Cottey College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1150, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Cottey College. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1190 | 1150 | 1220 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1150 then you are below most of the admitted students at Cottey College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1220 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Cottey College with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Cottey College are good but the admission staff at Cottey College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Cottey College ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Cottey College is 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
This score makes Cottey College less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 19 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| ACT English | 20 | 15 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 14 | 24 |
Can I get into Cottey College with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Cottey College — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Cottey College use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Cottey College — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Cottey College uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 24 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Cottey College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Cottey College is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Proactively Secure a Local P.E.O. Chapter Sponsorship - Even Without Any P.E.O. Affiliation
Many state and local P.E.O.-funded Cottey scholarships (some worth $10,000 or more) require a recommendation letter from a sponsoring local P.E.O. chapter, but a student does not need any P.E.O. affiliation herself to qualify. Since the college doesn't arrange this, have the family proactively contact P.E.O. International's "Contact Us" page, ask the high school counselor whether any chapter has visited about Cottey or the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship, or ask around at church and community groups to find a sponsoring chapter well before senior year.
Book a Campus Visit Before Enrolling to Lock In an Automatic Scholarship
Any student who visits campus prior to enrolling automatically qualifies for a $1,500/year scholarship for up to four years - this isn't merit- or need-based, just action-based, and it's easy for a family focused on grades and essays to overlook entirely. Schedule the visit as a concrete to-do item, not an optional nicety.
Redirect Essay-Writing Energy Toward the Scholarship Layer, Not the Admission Itself
Cottey's own first-year application requires no personal essay and no letter of recommendation - so families shouldn't spend disproportionate energy polishing an admissions essay that isn't required. Instead, put that effort into the essays and reference letters that state/local P.E.O. Cottey scholarship funds do require (commonly a 250-500 word essay on educational plans plus two outside references), since that's where a written case actually gets evaluated.
Plan Around the Mandatory Funded Sophomore Study-Abroad Trip From the Start
Cottey funds and requires a second-year international study trip (destinations have included Rome, London, Florence, Madrid, and others) as a core part of the curriculum, not an elective add-on. Families should factor passport timing and any major-specific elective planning around this required sophomore-year travel component into their four-year plan from the outset, rather than treating it as a surprise scheduling conflict later.
Expert Insight:
Because Cottey's own admission process requires no essay and no recommendation letter, families often assume there's nothing more to do once the basic application is submitted - but the real financial opportunity at Cottey lives almost entirely in the P.E.O. chapter-sponsored scholarship layer, which requires proactively finding and being recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter, something the admissions office itself does not arrange, track, or remind families about.
Cottey College Profile
Full Name
Cottey College
City
Nevada
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
64772
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Cottey College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Cottey College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Cottey College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Cottey College is $61,300 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.16%.
How much does a degree from Cottey College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Cottey College is $36,726. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Cottey College is much less than this.
45.3% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 56.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Cottey College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Cottey College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Cottey College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Cottey College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $35,422. An average Cottey College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Cottey College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Cottey College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Cottey College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Cottey College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Cottey College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $35,422 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $36,726 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
45.3% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Cottey College is 66.3% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.39. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.09, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.09, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.99 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.39, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Cottey College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1190 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1150–1220.
The scholarship priority deadline is February 1, 2027. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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