Southwestern College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern College in Winfield, KS with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,041 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern College is located in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern College 10:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Southwestern College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or Stephens College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephens College than Southwestern College ($23,194 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 14.2% lower than at Stephens College ($11,465 vs. $13,366).
• Southwestern College is 40.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $11,522 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.7% higher at Southwestern College than at Stephens College (about $11,522 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Southwestern College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 24% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($28,936 vs. $23,341).

Southwestern College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College or Stephens College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Stephens College and Southwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 140 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Incoming Southwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at Stephens College (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 900/1220; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 17/22; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwestern College - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Southwestern College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Southwestern College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Southwestern College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern College and Stephens College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southwestern College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Southwestern College earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Stephens College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.