Stephens College

Stephens offers nearly 50 programs across bachelor’s, master’s, and certificates, with a focus on hands-on, career-ready education. Standouts include:

• Acting for Stage & Screen: A conservatory-style program with industry connections
• Animal Behavior: Combines biology and psychology with fieldwork opportunities
• Communication Design: Merges graphic design, UX, and digital media

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:

• Housing: Suite-style rooms and upperclass apartments with free Wi-Fi and laundry; some halls allow pets.
• Community: The student union serves as a hub for socializing, with Niche reviews praising the 'vibrant, supportive' atmosphere.
• Activities: Leadership programs and student organizations thrive, though Greek life is absent.

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:

• Pell Grant recipients: 43% graduate within 6 years
• Non-Pell recipients: 55% graduation rate

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 price?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:

• Financial aid: Includes grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study. The college encourages FAFSA submission to unlock need-based packages.
• Estimates: The 2026-2027 net price calculator projects individualized costs after aid, though exact averages aren’t publicly disclosed.

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:

• Arts immersion: From acting to design, programs blend theory with studio and stage time.
• Unconventional majors: Animal behavior and niche humanities tracks attract students seeking alternatives to generic curricula.
• Inclusivity: Pet-friendly policies and flexible support systems cater to non-traditional learners.

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.