Stephens College

At Stephens College, supporting military-connected students isn't a program, it's a promise. Service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, spouses, and military children have long been part of the fabric of our campus, and we've built our resources around the realities of military life: frequent moves, deployments, benefit navigation, and the drive to turn service into a meaningful next chapter.

From the moment you connect with us, you'll find people who understand the military-connected experience and are ready to help you navigate the road ahead. Our School Certifying Official can walk you through the differences between the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill®, how Yellow Ribbon stacks with Chapter 33, and more. You'll also have access to academic support, career services, and campus resources – designed to help you move from enrollment to graduation to career with confidence.

That commitment has earned national recognition. Stephens College has been named a 2026–2027 Military Friendly® School, ranked #1 in the Top Ten for Private Institutions Not Offering Doctorates, a distinction that reflects measurable outcomes for the military-connected students we serve, not just good intentions.

Stephens is also home to the Women Veterans Success program, created specifically to empower women veterans to earn their degrees, achieve personal success, and build financial independence. Participants receive every benefit available to Stephens students, along with tailored support, connection to fellow veterans, a dedicated space for the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, and guidance on accessing scholarships, grants, and other financial aid. The program is built to fit real life: bring your children (with a 50% discount to our on-campus Children's School for ages 3 through grade 5), and yes, bring your dog, too, on the most pet-friendly women's college campus in the country. There is no additional cost to participate; standard tuition and fees are offset by GI Bill® benefits, financial aid, and scholarships. Learn more on our website.

School Information

• Private, not-for-profit, four-year college in Columbia, Missouri, with an urban campus.
• Women's Undergraduate College; All-Gender Conservatory for the Performing Arts; All-Gender Graduate Programs.
• Semester calendar with an immersive block schedule.
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Test-optional admissions.

Tuition and Costs: 2026–2027

• Four-year residential undergraduate tuition: $28,634 per year for both in-state and out-of-state students, excluding fees.
• Undergraduate credit hour tuition rate: $854.
• Three-year nursing and Conservatory programs: $42,951 in annual tuition, based on three semesters per year.
• Graduate tuition varies by program. The graduate catalog lists $579 per credit for programs other than the MFA and Physician Assistant program; those programs have separate pricing. Annual graduate costs depend on program and course load.
• Books and supplies estimate: $1,290 per year.

Student Enrollment

School-provided enrollment figures: 371 total students, with reported headcounts of 28 male students and 311 female students. The reported gender counts do not account for all 371 students; a complete breakdown and military-connected enrollment count have not been confirmed.

Military and Veteran Resources

Stephens participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, is approved for military Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for CLEP exams. Air Force ROTC is available through a crosstown agreement with the University of Missouri. ACE credit for military experience, adherence to ACE standards, and DSST exam credit have not been confirmed. Contact the school to confirm benefit eligibility and coverage for your specific program.

For help with VA education benefits, contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@stephens.edu or (573) 876-7106. For veteran student support, contact studentexperience@stephens.edu or (573) 876-7212, ext. 4212. Visit Service Member & Veteran Resources for more information.