Why Stephens?
At Stephens College, we go all in on immersive and experiential learning. There are lots of reasons to choose Stephens—see for yourself!
Proud to be one of the oldest women's colleges in the nation, we strive every day to provide all our students with the best college experience possible.
Academics
We offer bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in more than 35 subjects. Browse our programs to find the one that intrigues you.
Learn about our Block Schedule that offers one immersive class, topic, and experience at a time.
Why Choose Stephens
Become a partner in your own education. Start the free and easy application process to become a key part of our community.
The Stephens Promise provides up to four years of tuition funding for qualified full-time undergraduate students. Imagine graduating with no tuition debt!
Life at Stephens
Make Stephens College your home away from home. Discover what makes our campus and student experience truly unique.
A small college in the middle of nowhere? Nope, not us. Bring your pet and explore all Stephens and "College Town USA" have to offer.
Conservatory
The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College offers programs for artists of all gender identities who are interested in theatre, television, and film.
The Conservatory accepts students of all gender identities. Learn more about our immersive programs.
Home / News
October 13, 2026
Between blood pressure cuffs, rapid wellness screenings and a visit from a miniature therapy horse named Teenie, the Kimball Ballroom bustled last Wednesday during Stephens first ever College Campus Health Fair. The event served as the centerpiece of “Stephens Cares Health Week” (Oct. 5-9), an initiative organized with Boone Health to promote everyday wellness, preventive […]
October 9, 2026
Keri Gilbert, MPA, FAAC®, Associate Vice President of Financial Aid Analytics and Compliance at Stephens College, was honored to represent small colleges this week as a panelist at the Future of Student Aid Programs Congressional Briefing hosted by the Student Aid Alliance. The briefing, moderated by Dr. Emmanual Guillory of the American Council on Education, […]
October 2, 2026
The Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts officially raises the curtain on its 79th theatrical season this weekend with the electrifying, Tony Award-winning musical, Spring Awakening, running Oct. 2-4, at the historic Macklanburg Playhouse. Marking the first production of the 2026-2027 season, the show sets a high-stakes, ambitious tone for the Conservatory. Based on Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking […]
September 25, 2026
For more than seven decades, the Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts has been showcasing student talent on center stage. From timeless classics to musicals that make it hard to stay seated, Stephens has brought live theatre to mid-Missouri for nearly 80 years. The 2026–2027 season marks an especially exciting milestone: Joseph Price’s inaugural […]
September 11, 2026
On Thursday, Sept. 10, students, faculty, and staff filled Kimball Ballroom in Lela Raney Wood Hall for the 2026 Stephens College Opening Convocation, marking the formal start of the new academic year. Founded in 1833, Stephens has spent 193 years educating students in Columbia, but as Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leslie Willey ’83 […]
September 4, 2026
Stephens College is proud to welcome a dynamic cohort of new faculty members this year. Bringing expertise from the Broadway Stage, the Disney executive suite, the front lines of nursing and the cutting edge of molecular biology, these educators embody the Stephens spirit of innovation and heart. Corey Wright | Assistant Professor of Dance | Head […]
August 31, 2026
Stephens College is doubling down on its commitment to career readiness by appointing Dr. R. Scott Taylor as the new Associate Vice President of Experiential Innovations and Industry Partnerships. The role, designed to bridge academic theory and professional practice, signals a strategic shift in how the college prepares students for a rapidly evolving workforce. Dr. […]
August 27, 2026
As the academic year begins, Stephens College is celebrating the successful conclusion of its second year partnering with the University of Missouri (MU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Through the Women in STEM Research (WiSR) program and its collaboration with Mizzou’s Veterinary Research Scholars Program (VRSP), Stephens’ students spent the summer doing more than studying […]
August 18, 2026
This summer, 17 middle school students traded their phones for shoulder rigs, their social media feeds for film theory, and their summer afternoons for the kind of hands-on filmmaking education most aspiring directors don’t get to experience until later in life. The result was five original music videos shared on the big screens at one of Columbia’s […]
August 12, 2026
In the world of summer stock theatre, where seasons are measured in weeks and productions move at breakneck pace, 50 years is more than just a milestone; it’s monumental. As the final curtain calls of the 2026 Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) season echo across Spirit Lake this week, the atmosphere is thick with more than […]
August 7, 2026
Stephens College is proud to welcome Joseph Price as the new Dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Effective July 6, 2026, Price stepped into the role with more than three decades of experience as a director, producer, educator, and administrator. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Conservatory as it continues to solidify […]
July 15, 2026
At Stephens College, our work is guided by a simple conviction: investing in our faculty/staff pays off for our students. That belief was on full display at the recent NASFAA National Conference when Keri Gilbert, our Associate Vice President of Financial Aid Analytics and Compliance, received the NASFAA Regional Leadership Award – an honor that recognizes sustained, creative and integrity-driven […]
