Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 46.5%
- Retention Rate
- 71.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $43,071
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 59.5%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $54,035 | $30,808 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $36,488 | $32,078 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $27,947 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $26,933 | |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services. | Bachelor | $24,035 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $21,052 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Stephens graduates face a challenging financial reality after college. With median debt of $27,000 and median earnings of $43,071 ten years out, graduates carry a debt-to-earnings ratio of 63%. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 8% of typical graduate income. The college's focus on creative arts and theater often leads graduates into fields like performing arts, fashion design, and media production, which traditionally offer lower starting salaries. Only 59.51% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule. While the 92.9% employment rate shows graduates find work, the combination of modest earnings and substantial debt burden creates financial strain. This represents a weak return on investment for most students.