Since 1884, Cottey College has been educating women to become globally aware and socially responsible leaders.

We’re a private, four-year liberal arts and sciences institution in Nevada, Missouri, dedicated to creating incredible futures for our students.

We infuse leadership qualities into our students throughout their entire educational experience—these lessons are the foundation and inspiration for everything we do. Our small, tight-knit campus community shares a collective enthusiasm and builds each other up as individuals, forming an unbreakable bond that connects them with generations of Cottey alumni.

See the world
Part of becoming a globally aware and socially responsible leader is experiencing the world around you. Cottey offers multiple opportunities to travel, but our sophomore trip is the premier opportunity to see the world and learn about art, history, science, and culture. The sophomore international experience includes airfare, hotels, and bus tours paid for by the College. It’s open to all sophomore students—and eligible transfer students—as part of their education. These trips include one week of incredible cultural opportunities and plenty of free time to explore! 

Make your education affordable
Cottey College is owned by a philanthropic women’s organization called the PEO Sisterhood. The organization consists of more than 225,000 professional females who want to see young women succeed, supporting them through cards, candy, letters, and individual interactions—and they put their money where their hearts are! In addition to federal grants, Cottey scholarships and awards, and other outside sources, most accepted students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships from the PEO Sisterhood. It’s no surprise with all these aid opportunities that 41% of our 2019 graduates left with no debt at all.