Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Stephens College #1297 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,218, placing Stephens College in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Stephens College #880 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Stephens College #1297 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 12.9 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College enrolls roughly 391 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 78.4% freshman retention rate and a 42.7% six-year graduation rate. Stephens College draws strength from its distinctive academic focus. Visual & Performing Arts forms the institution's signature, anchoring its identity and shaping graduate outcomes. Azimuth ranks Stephens College #880 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 40.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,218, placing Stephens College in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Stephens College sits in the 33.9 percentile for access and the 27.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 1.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students drawn to Visual & Performing Arts and seeking a focused, arts-centered liberal arts experience, Stephens College offers a specialized pathway with outcomes grounded in a distinctive academic mission.
Stephens College's published cost of attendance is $46,643. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $9,918, middle-income families pay around $18,547, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,787. Azimuth ranks Stephens College #1035 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions. Stephens College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and individual aid packages vary within each income band shown above. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,900; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,218, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Stephens College is a strong fit for students drawn to the visual and performing arts who want a small private college experience in Columbia, MO. The college's program mix is concentrated in Visual & Performing Arts, representing 34% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,218, placing Stephens College in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 6.0 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Stephens College enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 45.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.9% are first-generation. The published cost of attendance is $29,787, with median federal debt at graduation of $27,000. Azimuth ranks Stephens College #1297 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Students whose interests align with the arts and who value a small-college environment will find Stephens delivers focused outcomes in its core disciplines.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Stephens College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Stephens College's published cost of attendance is $46,643. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $9,918, middle-income families pay around $18,547, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,787.
Azimuth ranks Stephens College #1035 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions.
Stephens College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and individual aid packages vary within each income band shown above.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,900; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,218, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Stephens College earn median 4-year earnings of $46,218, placing Stephens College in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Stephens College #880 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings outcome reflects both the institution's concentration in Visual & Performing Arts and the broader labor-market positioning of its graduate cohort. Stephens College's program portfolio centers on creative and performance-based fields.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft is the largest program with 21 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $35,235, representing 0.9x the benchmark for the field. Health Administration enrolls 12 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $79,407, at 1.4x benchmark.
Additional programs including Biology, General, Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations, and Teacher Education round out the institution's degree offerings, each serving distinct career pathways within the creative and performing arts ecosystem.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
12 graduates
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
21 graduates
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
7 graduates
Stephens College's program mix is anchored in visual and performing arts, reflecting its identity as a women's liberal arts college. Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft is the largest program with 21 graduates, followed by Health Administration (12 graduates), Biology, General (10 graduates), Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (7 graduates), and Teacher Education (6 graduates).
The highest-earning programs at Stephens College include both creative and applied-professional fields. Health Administration graduates earn median four-year earnings of $79,407, while Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn $35,235 four years after enrollment.
Stephens College's program concentration in Visual & Performing Arts (34% of graduates) is complemented by enrollment in Business (12%) and Education (7%). This mix balances specialized creative training with broader liberal arts preparation.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anderson University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#34946 ranked) | IN | 79% | $48,899 | #34946 | Compare |
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Similar quality tier (#34945 ranked) | PR | 99% | $24,908 | #34945 | Compare |
Alma College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#34941 ranked) | MI | 57% | $54,742 | #34941 | Compare |
Maryville College Similar quality tier (#34948 ranked) | TN | 61% | $49,279 | #34948 | Compare |
St. Thomas Aquinas College Similar quality tier (#34951 ranked) | NY | 93% | $62,909 | #34951 | Compare |
