
Columbia, MOprivate nonprofitstephens.edu
Stephens College, a small women's college in Columbia, Missouri, thrives as a niche powerhouse for the arts, sciences, and health professions. With an acceptance rate hovering around 77-92%, it's accessible yet intimate, offering pet-friendly dorms and a 96% female undergraduate population. Its standout programs in acting, animal behavior, and design attract students seeking a tight-knit, career-focused education—though its 47% graduation rate signals challenges for some.
Stephens College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 56.95% to 92% across sources—a disparity likely reflecting varying applicant pools or reporting methods. Of 1,043 applicants in one cycle, 804 were admitted, with 392 enrolling. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 530-640 on SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 18-25 on the ACT. Notably, the college doesn't require TOEFL as an SAT/ACT alternative. While PrepScholar calls it 'nearly open admissions,' U.S. News and CollegeData peg selectivity as 'moderately difficult.'
Stephens offers nearly 50 programs across bachelor’s, master’s, and certificates, with a focus on hands-on, career-ready education. Standouts include:
Other notable majors span business administration, biology, and art history. Small class sizes dominate, fostering close faculty mentorship. The college emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, with recent initiatives expanding health sciences and humanities offerings.
Life at Stephens revolves around its 96% female undergraduate population (fall 2023) and pet-friendly campus culture. Key features:
With just 354 undergraduates, the campus feels more like a close-knit cohort than an anonymous institution. Columbia’s arts scene—including the True/False Film Fest—provides off-campus enrichment.
Stephens faces retention challenges, with a 47% overall graduation rate (placing it in the bottom 30% nationally). Disparities exist:
While the College Scorecard doesn’t publish median earnings, the college emphasizes career preparedness through internships and alumni networks, particularly in the arts and sciences. The low graduation rate may reflect its mission to serve diverse learners, including those balancing work/family commitments.
Stephens’ sticker price is $48,088 annually, but Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest significant aid offsets costs for many. Key details:
While not a bargain institution, Stephens positions itself as a value for students seeking specialized programs in a supportive, women-centered environment.
Stephens carves a singular niche as a women’s college with a creative, career-forward ethos. Unlike larger liberal arts schools, it excels in:
Its low graduation rate signals real challenges, but for students who thrive in intimate, arts-and-sciences-focused environments, Stephens offers a rare blend of tradition and practicality.