At $23,277/yr net price, Stephens College graduates earn $43,071/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,071/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,277 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,108 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,071/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,071/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,807/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,376/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,100/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,781/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,927/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
46.5% of students at Stephens College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Stephens College gives you a weak financial return. You pay $23,277 a year in net price, then land at median earnings of $43,071 ten years out. Median debt sits at $27,000, roughly a full year's pay after graduation. The 46.5% graduation rate is the bigger problem: fewer than half of you finish, and if you drop out with loans, you carry the debt without the degree that pays it back.
The programs split sharply. Health and Medical Administrative Services is the only one that clearly pays off, clearing $54,000 and beating the school median by more than $10,000. Everything else struggles. Marketing graduates earn under $34,000, and Design and Applied Arts, Specialized Sales, and Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services all land in the mid-$20,000s. Design and Applied Arts pays about the same as a job that needs no degree, which makes the price hard to justify.
The specific risk here is finishing plus major choice. A design or animal-services degree at this cost with this debt load is a bad trade in the Columbia, MO market. If you enroll, aim for the health administration track or reconsider the school.
The net price tiers reward the lowest incomes least generously than you'd hope. Under $30k, you pay $16,807. the $30-48k and $48-75k tiers barely differ at around $22,000. Families over $75k actually pay the most, near $28,000, more than the sticker gap suggests. If your family earns under $30k and you commit to health administration, the math can work. For everyone else chasing a design, marketing, or sales degree, a cheaper school will get you the same earnings for less debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stephens College worth the money?
Stephens College graduates earn $43,071 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the $23,277 annual net price. With a 46.5% graduation rate and $27,000 median debt, the return on investment is weak compared to other colleges.
What are the best paying majors at Stephens College?
Health and Medical Administrative Services leads at $54,035 annually, followed by Business Administration at $52,107. Marketing and specialized sales programs pay significantly less at around $28,000-$34,000, making program choice critical for ROI.
How much student debt do Stephens College graduates have?
Stephens College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000. Given the average earnings of $43,071, this debt load is manageable but leaves limited financial flexibility after graduation.
Does Stephens College have good job placement rates?
With a 46.5% graduation rate, less than half of Stephens College students complete their degrees. The school's job placement data isn't strong enough to offset the low completion rate and modest earnings outcomes.