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Stephens College

Columbia, MO · Private Nonprofit

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91.5%
Acceptance (Fall 2023)
1200
SAT
$32,709
Sticker Price
$22,673
Net Price*
$38,034
Earnings 10 yrs after enrolling
29.9 yrs
Payback
414
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

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Should I apply to Stephens College?

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What is Stephens College's acceptance rate?

Up 32.7 percentage points since 2018

With a 91.5% acceptance rate, Stephens College is considered accessible. The school has become slightly less competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Stephens College?

Stephens College received 414 applications in 2023, down 58% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 20% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Stephens College?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing leads as the most popular major at Stephens College. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015–2024

How has tuition changed at Stephens College?

Tuition has decreased by 15% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown -14% from $37,910 to $32,709.

Tuition Total Cost

How much do Stephens College graduates earn by major?

Graduates in Health and Medical Administrative Services earn among the highest salaries, with median earnings of $54,035 within two years of graduation. Earnings vary significantly by major—STEM and business fields typically offer higher starting salaries, while humanities and arts may have different career trajectories. Consider both passion and practical outcomes when choosing your field of study.

Median two years after graduating, for graduates of each program — not the same measure as the headline earnings figure above, which covers everyone who enrolled, ten years after starting. Source: College Scorecard field-of-study file, June 2026.

Health and Medical Administrat... $54,035 26 grads · small sample
$9,706 $89,859
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecr... $21,052 23 grads · small sample
$9,706 $89,859
Marketing $33,993
$9,706 $89,859
Specialized Sales, Merchandisi... $27,947 21 grads · small sample
$9,706 $89,859
Design and Applied Arts $26,933
$9,706 $89,859
Agricultural and Domestic Anim... $24,035
$9,706 $89,859
This school National avg

What do Stephens College graduates actually earn?

The median tells one story, but outcomes vary widely. Here's the full range of earnings 10 years after enrollment for graduates of Stephens College.

25th: $25,457 Median: $38,034 75th: $56,749
10th: $4,200 90th: $63,700

Earnings range for graduates 10 years after enrollment. The green bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile). Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release.

How do Stephens College earnings grow over time?

Median earnings from 1 year after completion through 11 years after enrollment. Early-career earnings show what graduates earn soon after graduating, while later years reflect career growth and advancement.

Do Stephens College earnings vary by family income?

Median earnings of graduates grouped by their family income when they enrolled. Research shows family income can influence post-graduation outcomes through networking, unpaid internship access, and career choice flexibility.

Stephens College Admissions Statistics (2015–2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 414 379 91.5% 19.5%
2022 650 417 64.1% 18.0%
2021 677 431 63.7% 23.2%
2020 644 414 64.3% 18.4%
2019 992 558 56.3% 19.7%
2018 982 578 58.9% 20.2%
2017 1,269 674 53.1% 19.1%
2016 1,168 713 61.0% 22.4%
2015 1,220 827 67.8% 23.1%

Is Stephens College worth it?

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4-Year Sticker Price --
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Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
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Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do Stephens College graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$38,034
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$4,200 $38,034 median $63,700

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $4,200 while the top 10% earn $63,700. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$34,186
Median Debt
$27,000
6-Year Graduation Rate
59.2%

How much does Stephens College cost?

The total cost of attendance at Stephens College is approximately $32,709 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$23,175
Fees
$210
Room & Board
$9,324
Total Cost of Attendance
$32,709

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price is what aided families paid after grants and scholarships, averaged within each income band. Your own cost depends on income, assets and the school's aid policies, so treat these as a floor rather than a quote. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families because of generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $19,649
$30-48k income $22,207
$48-75k income $22,673
$75-110k income $23,665
$110k+ income $23,533
No aid $32,709

These averages cover only students who received federal financial aid — a Pell Grant, a federal loan or work-study. Families who pay their own way are not included, so the higher brackets understate what a full-paying family is billed. The "no aid" row is the published cost of attendance.

Which majors pay the most?

  • Health and Medical Administrative Services $54,035
  • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft $21,052
  • Marketing $33,993
  • Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations $27,947
  • Design and Applied Arts $26,933

Who attends Stephens College?

Stephens College enrolls 532 students, with 1% from outside the United States. Women make up 92% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 532
Retention Rate 71%
International 1%
Women 92%
Race/Ethnicity
White 62%
Black 9%
Asian 2%
Hispanic 1%

How much financial aid is available?

95% of students receive some form of financial aid at Stephens College. About 42% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 95%
Avg: $18,794 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 42%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 63%
Avg: $7,534
School's Own Grants 100%
Avg: $16,227 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at Stephens College are near the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

Page updated 2026. Admissions and cost figures are the latest IPEDS release (2023); earnings are College Scorecard median 10-year post-enrollment, June 2026 release. Sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard.