Stephens College vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephens College in Columbia, MO with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Stephens College vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($23,194 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 0.6% lower than at Carthage College ($13,366 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $10,450 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Carthage than at Stephens College (about $10,450 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($23,784 vs. $23,341).

Stephens College vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or Carthage? 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 Carthage and Stephens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 100 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming Carthage 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; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Carthage students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Stephens College vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and Stephens College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage College and Stephens College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.