Stephens College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephens College in Columbia, MO with Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephens College is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (568 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Cleveland Institute of Art is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1.

Stephens College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art ($23,194 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 3.9% lower than at Stephens College ($12,850 vs. $13,366).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 74.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $21,100 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.6% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Stephens College (about $21,100 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College as at Cleveland Institute of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 45.1% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($33,857 vs. $23,341).

Stephens College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art and Stephens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 70 points higher than at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130).
• Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 1130/1270; Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art.

Stephens College vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and Cleveland Institute of Art? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Art's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Art earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Stephens College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($279 vs. $299).
• More Stephens College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.