Stephens College vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

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

William Woods University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (2,046 students vs. 568 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Stephens College vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or WWU? 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 WWU ($23,194 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Woods University are 2.4% lower than at Stephens College ($13,050 vs. $13,366).
• William Woods University is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $2,040 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at WWU than at Stephens College (about $2,040 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at William Woods University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 5.1% larger than aid received by William Woods University students ($23,341 vs. $22,204).

Stephens College vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and Stephens College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026; WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WWU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Stephens College vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Stephens College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from William Woods University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $5,563 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($21,437 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.