Cottey College
Nevada, MO
Nevada, MO
Your future in business starts at Cottey College
Cottey College offers a unique and empowering environment for women to launch their careers in business. With a focus on leadership, global perspective, and hands-on experience, a degree from Cottey prepares you for success in today's competitive marketplace.
Academics with a real-world edge
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Cottey provides a comprehensive foundation in core business principles. You can choose to concentrate in Management or International Business, tailoring your studies to your career aspirations. What truly sets Cottey's program apart is the emphasis on practical application. You won’t just be in a classroom; you'll be gaining real-world experience through required internships and unique opportunities like the Chellie Club, an on-campus entrepreneurial lab where students can develop and run their own business concepts.
A supportive and engaging community
Life at Cottey is more than just classes and homework. The College fosters a close-knit community where you'll build lifelong friendships. Instead of traditional dorms, students live in spacious suites with a small group of suitemates, creating a supportive and collaborative living environment. Cottey is also rich in traditions, from festive annual events to cherished local customs, that create lasting memories and a strong sense of belonging. As a college owned and supported by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Cottey is dedicated to providing a nurturing atmosphere where women can thrive.
Go global with Cottey!
At Cottey College, a global perspective isn't just an option; it's a guarantee. Every student has the opportunity to participate in an international experience, with the cost of airfare and hotel for a sophomore-year trip to destinations like Europe included. This incredible opportunity allows you to broaden your horizons, experience different cultures, and develop a global mindset that is highly valued by employers. It's just one of the many ways Cottey prepares you to be a leader in an interconnected world.
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Cottey College Celebrates Ninth Consecutive Year in Top 10 of Midwest Rankings | U.S. News & World Report, 2026 |
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Recognized for having the "best student-to-tenured-faculty ratio" in the nation | The Chronicle for Higher Education |
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Ranked #2 in "Best Value" | U.S. News & World Report, 2026 |
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Ranked #3 among "Top Performers on Social Mobility" | U.S. News & World Report, 2026 |
Business Management
Cottey’s business management program focuses on applying classroom lessons to real-world situations. Most students participate in an internship—some with local businesses and others at major corporations and governmental agencies. Students have interned recently at the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis, Target Corporate Headquarters, an agri-business company in Belarus, and many other places.
International Business
The study abroad portion of the curriculum is a central focus of the Cottey international business program. By studying abroad, students develop a deeper cultural, political, and economic understanding of another country. In the past, our students have studied in Spain, Great Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Thailand.
Additionally, International Business at Cottey is a versatile and hands-on program that merges perfectly with the College’s deep commitment to women’s leadership, social responsibility, and global awareness. It is an interdisciplinary degree that can be customized to match a student’s goals and aspirations.
Organizational Leadership
When Cottey’s organizational leadership program began, it was one of only two undergraduate leadership programs in the United States to offer an academic program with an emphasis on gender. While the gendered lens through which we explore leadership is not part of the title of our program, this major provides the opportunity for Cottey students to consider a variety of leadership concepts while keeping in mind the lived reality that they will face upon graduation.
Each student is encouraged to participate in at least one national conference with the International Leadership Association (ILA) at the annual Women and Leadership Conference held each summer or the Global Conference held every fall (where they also compete in the International Student Case Competition). Cottey also sends the only all-woman collegiate team to the annual Leadership Challenge Event at Washburn University as our annual Leadership Immersion experience.
“I’m a first-generation American, and English is my second language. The PEO Sisterhood has supported my education financially—and even helped me do my paperwork, including the FAFSA. I’m not sure I would be in college without them.”
“Coming to Cottey opened many doors to unique opportunities. I took private piano lessons, joined the dance company, became a certified lifeguard, and even traveled to Spain! Cottey helped me set my sights high, and I’m ready to soar.”
“During my time at Cottey College, I’ve grown into a person I’m proud of. Cottey has helped prepare me for an amazing career after graduation.”