Stephens College

What Stephens College does

Stephens College is a private, nonprofit women's college founded in 1833 and headquartered at 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, Missouri. It operates a single residential campus and offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and certificates across nearly 50 subjects, organized through the School of Health Sciences, the School of Integrative Studies, and the gender-inclusive Conservatory for the Performing Arts. The instructional model is built around a proprietary Block Schedule — an immersive one-course-at-a-time format that enables travel, research, internships, and professional networking within each block. The institution also operates the Master's of Physician Assistant Studies (a 27-month program capped at 30 students per cohort), a baccalaureate nursing program, an MFA in TV & Screenwriting, the Children's School laboratory school, and the seasonal Okoboji Summer Theatre.

The business model is tuition-driven across three segments: Women's College undergraduate programs (4-year tuition of $28,634 and 3-year tuition of $42,951 for 2026-2027), the gender-inclusive Conservatory, and graduate programs charged at $560 per credit hour. Distribution relies on rolling undergraduate admissions with no application fee, GetAcceptd-based Conservatory applications, and CASPA for the PA program; the Moberly Area Community College (MACC) dual-admission partnership and NC-SARA reciprocity (49 states) extend the funnel. Stephens awards more than $5 million in institutional scholarships annually, including the Stephens Promise (up to four years of tuition funding for qualifying undergraduates) and merit scholarships starting at $10,500 per year. Healthcare-program outcomes (97% PANCE first-time pass rate vs. 91% national, 87.5% NCLEX-RN, 100% nursing job placement, 97-100% PA graduation) anchor recruitment, supported by accreditations from HLC, ARC-PA (next review March 2031), CCNE, Missouri State Board of Nursing, and Missouri DESE. Forward signals include the 2026 launch of the Women in Trades Program with a $30,000 ESS Foundation grant, a new GSEM AdvanceHER partnership, and continued investment in the Center for Health Sciences in Sampson Hall.

Name

Stephens College

Legal name

Stephens College

Website

https://stephens.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1833

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stephens College is a private, nonprofit women's college founded in 1833 in Columbia, Missouri, offering bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs across nearly 50 subjects through its Women's College, gender-inclusive Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and graduate healthcare programs, with tuition pricing around $28,634 for undergraduates and $560/credit hour for graduates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secular/Nonsectarian Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Honors Liberal Arts Colleges (Honors College/Program-Led) (EDAHACAL)

Keywords

• Women's college education
• Liberal arts degrees
• Performing arts conservatory
• Physician assistant program
• Nursing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Tuition revenue from undergraduate residential programs including Women's College and Conservatory. 4-Year program tuition $28,634; 3-Year program (Nursing/Conservatory) tuition $42,951 for 2026-2027.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate program tuition charged at $560 per credit hour for graduate programs including Master of Physician Assistant Studies (122 credit hours total).
3. Institutional Scholarships: Stephens awards more than $5 million in tuition scholarships every year, including funds designated exclusively for transfer students. Nearly all students receive institutional tuition scholarships or grants.
4. The Stephens Promise: Provides up to four years of tuition funding for qualified full-time undergraduate students, offering scholarships and grants rather than loans.
5. Human Subjects Research/IRB: Research activities involving human subjects conducted with IRB approval, shared responsibility between college and individual researchers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stephens College is a private nonprofit women's college offering bachelor's, master's, and certificate degrees in nearly 50 subjects. Its core offerings are organized through the Women's College (residential undergraduate programs with a distinctive one-class-at-a-time Block Schedule), the gender-inclusive Conservatory for the Performing Arts (Acting, Filmmaking, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design, MFA in TV & Screenwriting), and Graduate Programs including the Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Education in Counseling. Auxiliary offerings include the Stephens Scholars Honors Program, the on-campus Children's School, and Okoboji Summer Theatre.

Product overview

Stephens College is a private women's college founded in 1833 offering a portfolio of educational programs and services. The institution operates three main program divisions: the Women's College (undergraduate residential programs), the gender-inclusive Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and Graduate Programs (including a Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Education, and Master of Fine Arts in TV and Screenwriting). Academic offerings are organized through the School of Health Sciences and School of Integrative Studies. Supporting programs include The Children's School (laboratory school), Okoboji Summer Theatre, the Stephens Scholars Honors Program, and the MACC/Stephens transfer partnership. The College also offers distinctive programs including pet-friendly campus accommodations and The Stephens Promise tuition funding initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Conservatory for the Performing Arts: The Conservatory offers programs for artists of all gender identities interested in theatre, television, and film, including Acting for Stage & Screen, Filmmaking, Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design & Production, Theatrical Costume Design & Production, and Master of Fine Arts in TV & Screenwriting.
• The Stephens Promise
• School of Health Sciences
• Stephens Scholars Honors Program

Products and services

• Women's College (Undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees) A residential undergraduate women's college offering bachelor's degrees in nearly 50 subjects through the School of Health Sciences, the School of Integrative Studies, and additional academic divisions. Students take one immersive course at a time (Block Schedule), with integrated opportunities for travel, research, networking, and internships. Admitted women (including those legally identified as female or transitioning to female) apply through rolling admissions with no application fee.
• Conservatory for the Performing Arts A gender-inclusive conservatory offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Acting for Stage & Screen, Filmmaking, Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design & Production, Theatrical Costume Design & Production, and a Master of Fine Arts in TV & Screenwriting. Admission is through the GetAcceptd platform with an April 1 deadline.
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) A 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program (122 credit hours at $560/credit) combining 13 months of didactic education and 14 months of clinical training in family medicine, women's health, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, behavioral medicine, and emergency medicine. ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued status; 97% PANCE first-time pass rate for the 2025 cohort (five-year average 95%, vs. 91% national average). Cohort capped at 30 students.
• Master of Education in Counseling Graduate program in counseling with a School Counseling track accredited by Missouri DESE for K-12 School Counselor certification, offered through the graduate programs division. Tuition is $560 per credit hour.
• Nursing (BSN) Program Baccalaureate degree program in nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate 87.5% (benchmark 85-90%); previous years 100% (2023), 88.24% (2024). 100% job placement and 94.4% retention.
• School of Integrative Studies Programs (Business, Communication Design, Equestrian, etc.) Interdisciplinary undergraduate programs including business administration, communication design, content creation, education, English and creative writing, fashion, and equestrian studies, offered through the School of Integrative Studies as part of the Women's College curriculum.
• The Children's School at Stephens College On-campus laboratory school providing early childhood education that also serves as a training site for Stephens College education students. Alumni access is included as a partnership benefit.
• Okoboji Summer Theatre Immersive summer theatre program operated by the Conservatory for the Performing Arts, providing intensive performance and production experience as part of the Conservatory portfolio.
• MACC/Stephens Dual-Admission Partnership Dual admission and matriculation partnership with Moberly Area Community College (MACC) enabling AA/AS/AAT enrollees to concurrently enroll in Stephens-designated coursework at MACC prices, with a clear pathway to a Stephens bachelor's degree. Open to women.
• NC-SARA Distance Education Programs Distance education courses and programs offered across 49 U.S. states (all except California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands through participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
• Stephens Scholars Honors Program A 1960-founded selective honors program offering rigorous coursework, dedicated faculty mentorship, and a renewable annual scholarship of $1,000 for qualified first-time-in-college students. Additional endowed scholarships are available upon program completion.
• The Stephens Promise (Tuition-Funding Program) A financial-aid program providing up to four years of tuition funding via scholarships and grants (rather than loans) for qualified full-time undergraduate students, intended to enable graduation without tuition debt.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 87.5% (benchmark 85-90%); 100% job placement; 94.4% retention
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Moberly Area Community College (MACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMACC and Stephens College work together through a public/private partnership providing expanded educational opportunities for MACC students and community-building benefits. Includes dual admission for women (AA/AS/AAT enrollees) to concurrently enroll in Stephens-designated coursework at MACC prices, with clear pathway for community college students to pursue a four-year degree.
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership through GSEM AdvanceHER Leadership Program creating expanded pathways to higher education for Girl Scouts. Supports women's leadership development and educational advancement.
• ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant)coreOthersARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Stephens College Physician Assistant Program. Next validation review scheduled for March 2031. Program's accreditation history available on ARC-PA website.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)coreOthersThe baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Stephens College is accredited by CCNE, located at 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001.
• Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationcoreOthersStephens College is accredited by Higher Learning Commission and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Education programs accredited through MO DESE for Early Childhood, Elementary, and School Counselor K-12 certification.
• Area Hospitals and Clinics (Clinical Rotation Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStephens has partnered with area hospitals, clinics, private practice groups and individual providers to offer clinical training by providers dedicated to patients and students. Includes clinical rotations in family medicine, women's health, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, behavioral medicine and emergency medicine.
• University of MissouriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participate in and present at Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds at Stephens College and at the University of Missouri. Dr. Craig McCoy holds adjunct faculty appointments with University of Missouri.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Columbia College: Private liberal arts college located in the same city (Columbia, MO) as Stephens, similar size, and competes directly for students in mid-Missouri. Strongly comparable for graduate programs and transfer pipelines.
• Lindenwood University: Private university in St. Charles, MO with comparable program mix including performing arts and health sciences. Midwestern peer of similar scale and program breadth.

Direct peers

• Barnard College: Renowned women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University in NYC. Directly comparable as a private women's college offering immersive liberal arts and pre-professional programs similar to Stephens.
• Cottey College: Private women's liberal arts college in Nevada, MO focused exclusively on women's education. Similar scale, mission, and geographic/midwestern footprint to Stephens College.
• Hollins University: Small private women's university in Roanoke, VA offering undergraduate and graduate programs including writing and the arts. Comparable in size, mission, and broad program portfolio.
• Agnes Scott College: Private women's liberal arts college in Decatur, GA with similar small size and similar mission of women's education. Comparable in scale, programs, and student profile to Stephens College.
• Sweet Briar College: Private women's liberal arts college in Virginia focused on undergraduate education with strong experiential learning emphasis. Closely aligned with Stephens on women's college mission and small scale.

Broad incumbents

• University of Missouri: Major public research university in Columbia, MO hosting the Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds that Stephens PA students participate in. Represents the broader incumbent in same local market and clinical training partner.
• Drury University: Private university in Springfield, MO with similar broad undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable private midwestern institution competing for similar students.

Emerging players

• Brenau University: Private university in Gainesville, GA historically focused on women's education with diverse graduate programs including health sciences. Comparable in mission, healthcare programs, and small private character.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/stephenscollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/36686706637
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stephens-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/stephenscollege
• TikToktiktok.com/@stephens.college
• Xx.com/stephenscollege

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stephens College