Hospitality Administration/Management at Stephens College

Based on similar hospitality management programs in Missouri, Stephens graduates appear positioned near the middle of the state's range, with estimated first-year earnings around $36,451. That's slightly above the national median for this major and matches what Missouri State produces, though it trails Mizzou's stronger $38,916. The estimated $24,462 in debt creates a manageable 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning roughly eight months of gross salary to cover the full loan balance.

The bigger question is whether hospitality management justifies a four-year private college investment when the field typically starts at modest wages regardless of where you study it. Comparable programs across Missouri cluster tightly between $34,000-$39,000, suggesting the credential itself matters more than the institution's prestige. With 42% of Stephens students on Pell grants, many families here are stretching financially for what peer programs deliver at lower cost through public universities.

If your student is set on Stephens for its small size or specific campus culture, the numbers work—the debt load isn't alarming for the field. But if hospitality management is the draw rather than Stephens itself, Missouri's public options offer nearly identical earning outcomes with potentially less debt. The practical path depends on whether the Stephens experience is worth the premium over a state school producing the same career results.