The city, located approximately 120 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis, has a population of 100,000, including 26,000 students from those colleges. Money magazine consistently has rated Columbia as one of the nation's best cities in which to live. Stephens College has approximately 240 employees, making it one of Columbia's top employers. Approximately 65 percent of Stephens students come from out of state. The Stephens faculty includes approximately 52 full-time instructors.
Teaching is the first priority for Stephens faculty.
A student-designed major also is available, as well as preprofessional study in engineering, law, dentistry, medicine and veterinary medicine. Students also may earn an M.Ed. in Counseling. Stephens' external courses allow students to complete bachelor's degrees in their home communities through guided independent study and short-format courses. Through the school's weekend courses, students can complete degrees in any one of 12 areas, including business administration. All graduate and continuing education classes are open to women and men.