At $20,095/yr net price, Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts graduates earn $29,058/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,095 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,380 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $29,058/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-4,942/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.0% |
| 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 | $20,095/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $25,658 | |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Associate | $11,351 |
The Risk Factor
80.0% of students at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts is weak. Median earnings ten years out sit at $29,058, which is close to what you might earn without a degree at all. You carry $27,000 in median debt to reach that number, and paying it down on those earnings is slow going in the Saint Louis market.
Among the three bachelor's programs, Business Administration is the only one that clears a meaningful gap over the median, at $37,208. Design and Applied Arts lands at $29,685, barely above the school-wide median, and General Sales and Marketing Operations comes in under it at $25,658. So your major choice matters a lot here: business is the one path that pulls ahead, and the design and sales programs leave you close to where you started.
The specific risk is the mismatch between debt and payoff. An 80% graduation rate means you will likely finish, but finishing does not fix the earnings problem. Even at the top program, $37,208 against $27,000 in debt is a tight budget for years.
The net price is flat at $20,095 whether your family earns under $30,000 or more, with no lower tier shown for low-income families. If your family income is low, that full $20,095 is a heavy annual cost against these earnings. More than three-quarters of students here receive Pell Grants, so this is a lower-income student body carrying real debt for modest returns.
This school is a poor financial fit if you are borrowing heavily and expect the degree to lift your income. If you enroll, pick Business Administration and keep your borrowing as low as you can. Otherwise, a lower-cost or better-paying program elsewhere will serve your finances better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts worth the cost?
With graduates earning $29,058 annually and median debt of $27,000, Stevens graduates face nearly a full year's salary in debt. The return on investment is poor compared to most colleges.
What are the highest paying programs at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts?
Business Administration graduates earn the most at $37,208 annually, while some sales and marketing programs start as low as $11,351. Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $29,685.
How much debt do Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts graduates have?
The median debt is $27,000, which is concerning given that graduates earn only $29,058 per year on average. This creates a debt-to-income ratio that makes repayment difficult.
What is the graduation rate at Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts?
Stevens has an 80% graduation rate with 100% acceptance, meaning most students who enroll do finish their programs. However, completing the program doesn't guarantee strong earning potential.