Stephens College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephens College in Columbia, MO with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephens College is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (568 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Stephens College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($23,194 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 26.2% lower than at Stephens College ($9,868 vs. $13,366).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $1,965 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at Stephens College (about $1,965 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College as at John Paul the Great Catholic University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 37.4% larger than aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students ($23,341 vs. $16,982).

Stephens College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Stephens College.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 80 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 1130/1270; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Stephens College vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($266 vs. $279).

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.