Stephens College vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephens College in Columbia, MO with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Jewell College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (959 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); William Jewell College is in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; William Jewell College 10:1.

Stephens College vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or William Jewell 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 William Jewell College than Stephens College ($19,294 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 15.3% lower than at Stephens College ($11,320 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Jewell College (about $7,690 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at Stephens College than at William Jewell College (about $7,690 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College as at William Jewell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 41% larger than aid received by William Jewell College students ($23,341 vs. $16,552).

Stephens College vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or William Jewell 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 William Jewell College and Stephens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 20 points higher than at William Jewell College (1180).
• Incoming William Jewell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 1130/1270; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman William Jewell College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

Stephens College vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and William Jewell 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).

• William Jewell College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from William Jewell College earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.