Stephens College vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephens College in Columbia, MO with Missouri State University Springfield in Springfield, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri State University Springfield is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (24,360 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

Stephens College vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield than Stephens College ($17,181 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 17.7% lower than at Stephens College ($11,006 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 197.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $18,798 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Stephens College than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $9,530 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Missouri State University Springfield (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 166.1% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($23,341 vs. $8,770).

Stephens College vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and Stephens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 50 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 1130/1270; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

Stephens College vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and Missouri State University-Springfield? 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).

• The graduation rate at Stephens College is the same as at Missouri State University Springfield (55% vs. 55%).
• Graduates from Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri State University Springfield graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Missouri State University-Springfield graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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.