Stephens College, Women's college in Columbia, United States

Stephens College is a private women's college located in Columbia, Missouri, spread across a campus with academic buildings, residence halls and performance spaces. The institution offers undergraduate programs focused on women's education along with select graduate degrees in counseling and creative writing fields.

The school opened in 1833 as Columbia Female Academy when formal education for women was still rare across much of the country. A major endowment from James L. Stephens during the 19th century allowed the institution to expand and adopt its current name as one of America's earliest women's colleges.

The institution honors a 19th-century benefactor whose legacy helped advance education for young women at a time when such opportunities were scarce. Today the campus includes a converted warehouse where theater productions run throughout the academic year with student performers and designers.

The campus sits in central Columbia within walking distance of the downtown area and other educational facilities nearby. Visitors interested in theater performances or public lectures should check ahead for events open to the general community throughout the academic year.

Several residence halls on campus allow pets, and students can receive scholarship funding by temporarily housing animals from local shelters during their time at the college. This program combines academic support with animal welfare work as part of campus life.