At $15,025/yr net price, Donnelly College graduates earn $35,715/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,715/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,025 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,715/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,715/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 35 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,842 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,619/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,117/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,765/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,727/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $39,648 | $13,400 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,052 |
The Risk Factor
38.0% of students at Donnelly College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Donnelly College leaves you with a weak financial return. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit at $35,715 a year , barely above what many high school graduates earn, and low enough that the degree does little to lift your income. The one point in your favor is debt: a median of $11,842 is small, and it keeps your downside contained even if the payoff never arrives.
The bigger risk here is the 38% graduation rate. Fewer than four in ten of you finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, you get the cost without the earnings bump. The 76% retention rate means most of you come back for a second year, so the losses pile up later in the program, not at the start. No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there is no way to tell you which majors here pay off and which leave you stuck.
The net price tiers are the strangest part of the picture. Paying more as your family earns more is normal, but here it barely moves. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $14,619. if you earn $75-110k, you pay $17,727. Lower-income families get almost no discount off the roughly $15,000 sticker, which is a heavy annual cost against $35,715 in eventual earnings.
Donnelly fits you if you value staying local in Kansas City, plan to finish, and want to keep borrowing low. Look elsewhere if you need a degree that reliably raises your pay, or if your family income is low and you would pay close to full price for a 38% shot at graduating. Run the numbers against a nearby public option before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donnelly College worth the cost for the earnings you get?
Donnelly College graduates earn a median of $35,715 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. The nursing programs offer better returns with $39,648 median earnings, but liberal arts graduates typically earn just $21,052.
What is the graduation rate at Donnelly College and does it affect value?
Only 38% of students graduate from Donnelly College, meaning most students leave without a degree but may still carry debt. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's overall value proposition.
How much debt do Donnelly College students typically graduate with?
Donnelly College graduates have a median debt of $11,842, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, with post-graduation earnings of $35,715, the debt-to-income ratio is still concerning for long-term financial health.
Which programs at Donnelly College provide the best return on investment?
The nursing programs at Donnelly College offer the strongest ROI with graduates earning $39,648 annually. Liberal arts and general studies programs show poor returns with graduates earning just $21,052, well below the cost of attendance.