William Jewell College
William Jewell College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
William Jewell College at a Glance
William Jewell College is a private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri, United States. It was founded in 1849 by members of the Missouri Baptist Convention and endowed with $10,000 by William Jewell. It was associated with the Missouri Baptist Convention for over 150 years until it separated in 2003 and became independent. After becoming a nonsectarian institution, the college's enrollment fell by approximately 40% to 739 students in 2018. Jewell is accredited by the Higher Learning Commi…
1849
177 years old
853
Identity
How to Apply to William Jewell College
Official admissions pageIs William Jewell College Worth It?
William Jewell College offers moderate value at $17,562/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,268, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How William Jewell College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 33 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brescia University | 67 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| #2 | William Jewell College | 54 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| #3 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #4 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | Judson University | 43 | $18,558 | $56,313 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of William Jewell College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at William Jewell College
The highest-earning program at William Jewell College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $28,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from William Jewell College earns $57,100, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $28,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,250 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,562/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,100 | $57,100 | $22,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,000 | $45,000 | $25,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,800 | $36,800 | $26,245 |
| Psychology, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Liberty, MO
- Student Body
- 924 students
- Admission Rate
- 38%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,562
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,268
- Median Student Debt
- $24,498