Donnelly College is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Kansas City, Kansas. It enrolls 395 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
72/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes64
Value47
Affordability71
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Donnelly College.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Donnelly College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $11,476 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$11,476
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
67%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
35%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$10,440
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,630
Books & Supplies
$600
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$9,064
Total Cost of Attendance
$21,659
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,542
$30,001 – $48,000
$11,463
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,484
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,907
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$1,32110%percentile
$2,75025%percentile
$11,842Medianpercentile
$11,69675%percentile
$19,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Dependent students $4,242
↓ $7,600
Independent students $9,450
↓ $2,392
Female students $8,750
↓ $3,092
Male students $8,246
↓ $3,596
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,000, less than completers ($11,842), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
27% of full-time students who enrolled at Donnelly College graduate within six years, and 67% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
27%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
67%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Donnelly College earn a median of $35,715 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$35,715
Earning > $25K
61%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$25,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$35,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $9,700, about 27% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Declining: debt management worsening over time ↓
16.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Concerning. Only 22% of graduates are actively reducing principal even seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Donnelly College is home to 395 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 61% are first-generation college students, 50% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
395
Part-Time
50%
First-Generation
61%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Black 45.1%178
Hispanic 34.7%137
White 11.9%47
Asian 4.3%17
Other 4.1%16
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Donnelly College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityKansas City, Kansas
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
56%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Donnelly College offers
a focused set of programs:
6 distinct programs across
4 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Donnelly College is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$25M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$48,981
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
13 instructional faculty across 3 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Associate Professors
2
15%
$52,250
Assistant Professors
10
77%
$50,105
Instructors
1
8%
$31,200
Pros & Cons of Donnelly College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Donnelly College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
Low typical debt at graduation
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, Donnelly College is a fit for
working adults or students needing part-time study options; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donnelly College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Donnelly College.
How much does Donnelly College cost?
The average net price after aid at Donnelly College is $11,476 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Donnelly College worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $35,715 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $11,476 per year. That's roughly 3.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Donnelly College known for?
Donnelly College is best known for its programs in Practical Nursing, Liberal Arts, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Donnelly College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Donnelly College are $35,715, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Donnelly College accredited?
Yes. Donnelly College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Donnelly College?
Donnelly College enrolls 395 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Donnelly College?
Donnelly College graduates 27% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Donnelly College a public or private college?
Donnelly College is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Donnelly College located?
Donnelly College is located in Kansas City, Kansas.
What programs does Donnelly College offer?
Donnelly College offers 6 distinct programs. The most popular include Practical Nursing, Liberal Arts, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Donnelly College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Donnelly College is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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