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Facts & Figures

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. Wendy B. Libby became the 23rd president of Stephens College in July 2003.

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 nearly 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 46% 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 50 full-time instructors. Most have Ph.D.s or appropriate terminal degrees in their field. While faculty members frequently 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 performing arts and preprofessional study in engineering, law, dentistry, medicine and veterinary medicine.

DIVISION OF GRADUATE AND CONTINUING STUDIES: Stephens offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) featuring blended courses and customized emphasis areas; a Master of Education in Counseling program with both LPC and MFT certification available; and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Undergraduate programs include business and Health Information Administration. All graduate and continuing studies classes are open to men and women. Learn more.

CLASS SIZE —Average class size is 13 students. As of Fall 2006, 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:

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 work for top employers and attend top graduate schools.

ATHLETICS — Stephens College offers NAIA intercollegiate sports including basketball, softball, cross country, swimming, tennis and volleyball. The College begins American Midwest Conference (AMC) play in Fall 2008. Students take advantage of such facilities as the Silverthorne Arena, fitness center and indoor swimming pool. Many recreational activities also are available.

FACILITIES — Stephens offers a mix of the historic and modern eras. 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, Ireland, France and 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 six residence halls: Pillsbury, Roblee, Prunty, Searcy, Tower or Hillcrest. Apartments are available for upperclass students living in Hillcrest. Two additional halls have recently underwent (or are undergoing) historic renovations. Wood Hall reopened for student housing in Fall 2007. Columbia Hall reopens in January 2008. Stephens offers "pet floors" in Searcy and Prunty halls for students who want to bring a dog or cat 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. 8 for "Great College Theatre" in the nation and one of the "Best Midwestern Colleges," 2008)
• 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 of the North Central Association and 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).



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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