Virginia Alice Cottey painting

A Special Relationship with P.E.O.

Virginia Alice Cottey founded Cottey College in 1884 with the firm belief that women deserved the same quality education as men. When Virginia Alice became a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, she realized P.E.O. paralleled her own goals and ideas about higher education for women.

In 1927, the P.E.O. Sisterhood accepted Cottey College as a gift from Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard, making Cottey College the only nonsectarian college owned and supported by women. Ever since, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has continued to support and help provide excellent educational opportunities for women.
Cottey’s unique combination of women’s-only education, high academic standards, focus on leadership development, commitment to an international experience for every student and a motivated, high-energy community is at the heart of its success.

A Welcoming Campus

Cottey College is located in Nevada, Missouri, 100 miles from Kansas City. Cottey's attractive campus blends restored historic buildings and modern structures.

Cottey has a residential capacity of 350, and the student population typically includes both residential and commuter students from multiple states and countries.

Women in Cottey College class

Refer a Student

Do you know a student who might benefit from the Cottey College experience? Use the form below to connect her with the college.

Cottey College graduate Malikah Fard-Allah
Cottey College graduate Malikah Fard-Allah

"I am no longer just the child being raised; I am now a part of someone else's village."

Watch Malikah speak at the 2023 Convention of International Chapter.

Cottey graduate Sarah Van Horn
Cottey College graduate Sarah Van Horn

"The P.E.O. Sisterhood is everything at Cottey.”

Cottey graduate Sarah Gage
Cottey College graduate Sarah Gage

"The strong sense of community allows women to encourage one another to work towards and achieve goals together without having to prove our worth as women.”

Establish a Cottey College Scholarship

Scholarship funds provide the essential advantage for promising young women to pursue their educational goals. More than 99 percent of Cottey students receive financial assistance, including merit and need-based scholarships.

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