U.S. News & World Report Names Cottey College Among the Best

Today, U.S. News & World Report announced that Cottey College is nationally ranked #7 among its 2018 Best Regional Colleges placing it in the top 10% of regional Midwest colleges.

In addition, Cottey received three new rankings in the Midwest region from U.S. News & World Report. Cottey is ranked #2 among Best Value Schools and Lowest Student Debt Load at Graduation, and #3 for Schools with Most Proportion of International Students.

Rankings by respected organizations such as U.S. News & World Report can provide college-bound students and their parents valuable information to compare merits of different education programs. U.S. News & World Report uses 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help students narrow their college search, according to their website.

Colleges ranked in the Best Regional College category focus almost entirely on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts in fields such as business, nursing and education.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings, which focus on academic excellence, evaluate more than 1,800 institutions. Only 80 standout colleges and universities, less than 5% of schools evaluated, increased ten or more spots – including Cottey College.

Colleges ranked in the Best Value College category take into account a college’s academic quality based on its U.S. News Best Colleges ranking and the 2016-17 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

The Lowest Student Debt Load at Graduation ranking indicates that 36% of Cottey students had no debt at graduation while the average amount of debt for the remaining students was $20,287.  According to Student Loan Hero, this is almost $17,000 less than the average debt of $37,172.

Finally, Cottey’s proportion of international students (15%) earned the college a number three ranking as College with the Largest Proportion of International Students.

“We are elated to receive these rankings from such a trusted organization as U.S. News & World Report.  Especially noteworthy is that Cottey moved from a #22 ranking among Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest in 2017 to #7 in 2018,” said Dr. Jann Weitzel, president of Cottey College.

“Cottey stresses the importance of retention rates, graduation rates, maintaining small class sizes, a low student/faculty ratio, and the percentage of faculty who are full time.  In addition, 90% of Cottey’s faculty holds the highest degree in their field.  These are critical markers in the decision process for a student and her family in choosing a college that will be a good fit,” added Dr. Weitzel.

Cottey is one of only five schools in Missouri to be ranked as a Best Regional College and the only women’s college included in the Midwest rankings.  In total, 78 colleges were ranked from twelve states comprising the Midwest region.

Among the criteria on which U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings are the following: retention, assessment by peers and counselors, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving rate.

“While rankings are helpful to prospective students and parents, the best way to make that final decision is to visit campus and see if that college or university is the right fit. We hope these rankings will encourage more young women to visit Cottey and see for themselves what we have to offer as they make their post-secondary educational choices,” said Dr. Weitzel.

The rankings are available online at www.usnews.com/colleges.