CHARACTER
— Stephens College, founded in 1833, is the second-oldest women's
college in the country. A private college, Stephens is the only four-year
women's institution for higher education within the state of Missouri.
PRESIDENT — Dr. Dianne Lynch became the 24th president of Stephens College in June 2009.
COLUMBIA COMMUNITY — Stephens is located in Columbia, Missouri. Otherwise known as Collegetown, USA, Columbia possesses a unique blend of metropolitan flair and Midwestern hospitality. The city, located approximately 120 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis, has a population of 90,000, including more than 30,000 students from three area colleges. Money magazine consistently has rated Columbia as one of the nation's best cities in which to live.
CAMPUS — Located within walking distance of downtown Columbia, the Stephens campus occupies approximately 86 acres. In addition to its estimated annual economic impact on Boone County of $50 million, Stephens also contributes to the region's social, cultural and intellectual enrichment.
STUDENT BODY — Approximately 48% percent of Stephens students come from out of state. Stephens draws women from nearly every state and several countries outside the U.S.
FACULTY — The Stephens faculty includes approximately 55 full-time instructors. Most have Ph.D.s or appropriate terminal degrees in their field. While faculty members conduct research (often with students), publish papers and present at conferences across the country, a commitment to women's education comes first. Teaching is the first priority for Stephens faculty.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS — Stephens offers more than 50 majors and minors. A student-designed major also is available, as well as cooperative programs and preprofessional study in law, medicine and veterinary medicine. Stephens students may enroll in the College’s “Plus One” programs (earning a master’s degree in as little as one additional year). The College also is a member of the Mid-Missouri Associated Colleges and Universities consortium (MMACU) that provides cross-registration opportunities for students, tuition free.
DIVISION OF GRADUATE & CONTINUING STUDIES: The Master of Business Administration (MBA) features blended courses and customized emphasis areas, enrolling students nationwide. The Master of Education in Counseling program offers certification in School Counseling, Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). The College also offers a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a distance-learning health information administration program and degree completion programs that double as certificate programs. Learn more.
CLASS SIZE —Average class size is 13 students. As of Fall 2008, the student-to-faculty ratio at Stephens was 13:1.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION — More than 95 percent of Stephens students receive some form of merit- or need-based aid. The College awards nearly $7 million annually in scholarships and financial aid. Direct costs for a full-time student in residence at Stephens for the academic year are as follows:
| 2010-2011 Annual Fees | |
| Tuition and General Fees | $25,400 |
| Room (range from Hillcrest double to Tower apartment single): | $4,770 - $7,470 |
| Board (range from All-Flex to Unlimited Meal plan): | $2,400 - $3,300 |
| Total Direct Costs | $33,470 - $36,170 |
LEADERSHIP — Guidance counselors across the U.S. have named Stephens the premier school for leadership opportunities in Missouri. Students choose to participate in any of the College's clubs and organizations or create their own. Women are encouraged to become involved in campus activities, fulfill internships and find their own voice. Stephens graduates confidently begin their careers or continue on to graduate school.
ATHLETICS — Stephens College offers NAIA intercollegiate sports including basketball, softball, cross country, swimming, tennis and volleyball. Stephens participates in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program. The College began American Midwest Conference (AMC) play in Fall 2008. Students take advantage of the Silverthorne Arena and fitness center, and the nearby Stephens Lake Park, which offers hiking/biking trails.
FACILITIES — Stephens offers a mix of the historic red-brick buildings and modern athletic, performance, and classroom facilities. Historic Senior Hall, the College's first residence hall, along with the entire Historic Quadrangle, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Firestone Baars Chapel, designed by St. Louis Gateway Arch architect Eero Saarinen, is a Columbia landmark and a focal point of the Stephens campus.
STUDY ABROAD — Stephens offers study abroad programs in England, Korea, Ecuador, Sweden, Irelandand Japan, although Stephens students have studied in numerous countries. International seminars and study tours also are available.
RESIDENCE LIFE —Many students live in single rooms (available on a first-come, first-served basis) in one of our four residence halls: Pillsbury, Roblee, Tower or Hillcrest. Apartments are available for upperclass students living in Hillcrest. Two additional halls recently underwent historic renovations. Wood Hall reopened for student housing in Fall 2007. Columbia Hall reopened in Fall 2008. Stephens offers a "pet floor" in Hillcrest Hall for students who want to bring a dog or cat, or other small pet, from home.
ALUMNAE — Approximately 30,000 women from across the world comprise the Stephens College Alumnae Association. Among our most notable alumnae are Jeane Jordan Kirkpatrick, first U.S. woman ambassador to the United Nations; news anchor Paula Zahn; and actress Annie Potts.
Stephens' extensive network of alumnae is an invaluable resource for graduates starting their own careers. View the alumnae map to see where Stephens alumnae are located throughout the country.
HONORS — The following honors have helped to earn Stephens College a strong national reputation.
- Second-oldest women's college in the nation
- A national liberal arts college (U.S. News & World Report, 2008)
- Repeatedly selected to the Princeton Review's list of best colleges (listed No. 7 for "Great College Theatre" in the nation and one of the "Best Midwestern Colleges," 2009)
- Listed in Peterson's Guide to Colleges
- Premier school for leadership opportunities within Missouri, say the nation's high school guidance counselors
- Located in Columbia, Missouri, a collegetown that consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the country in which to live
ACCREDITATION —Stephens College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association and accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Stephens' business and business-related programs are accredited by the
International Assembly
for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
The Health Information Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
for Health Informatics
and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Stephens College admits students of any race, religion, geographic origin
to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded
or made available to students at the College. It does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national
origin, veteran status or disability, or handicap, in administration
of its educational policies; admission policies; scholarship and loan,
athletic and other college-administered programs; or in its employment
practices.
Stephens is a member of the U-CAN
(the University and College Accountability Network), a free, consumer-informed
college information Web site.
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