Admit rate has ranged 34%–47% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
William Jewell College is a small, selective liberal arts school in Liberty, Missouri, where tight-knit community meets intellectual rigor. Known for punching above its weight in graduate outcomes—ranking in the top 10% nationally for Ph.D. production and mid-career earnings—it blends a classic liberal arts core with pragmatic programs like nursing and civil engineering. With 84% of students living on campus and a lively Greek and NCAA Division II sports scene, Jewell delivers a quintessential residential college experience with Midwestern warmth.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
924
In-state tuition
$20,610
Out-of-state tuition
$20,610
Location
Liberty, MO
NCAA Division
II (GLVC conference)
Acceptance Rate
34-47%
4-Year Grad Rate
56%
On-Campus Housing
84% of students
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Median Starting Salary
$51,500
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,268
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$24,498
Graduation rate
68%
First-year retention
74%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
37%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$72,205
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,403
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$43,798
Communication and Media Studies$38,337
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,856
Psychology, General$33,993
English Language and Literature, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
75
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
25°F
Annual rain
47.7"
Annual snow
19.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
42
Scholarly works
568
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
15%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at William Jewell College?
William Jewell College's acceptance rate is approximately 38% (Liberty, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for William Jewell College?
Admitted students at William Jewell College typically score 1080–1270 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does William Jewell College cost?
At William Jewell College, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,562 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend William Jewell College?
William Jewell College enrolls approximately 924 undergraduate students.
Where is William Jewell College located?
William Jewell College is located in Liberty, MO.
Admissions
William Jewell is selective but not cutthroat, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 34-47% depending on the year and source. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since at least 2023, it attracts students with mid-range SAT scores (1000–1120) and an average GPA that suggests solid but not stratospheric high school performance. The college emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., explicitly stating that ACT/SAT scores aren't required—a nod to its liberal arts mission of evaluating applicants beyond metrics.
Acceptance Rate: Ranges from 34% (College Board) to 47% (Niche)
Test Policy: Test-optional (no SAT/ACT requirement)
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$26,896
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Jewell’s academic profile is a study in contrasts: a traditional liberal arts core (philosophy, ancient Mediterranean studies) coexists with pre-professional standouts like nursing and civil engineering. Business administration is the most popular major, claiming about 34 degrees annually, but the college recently added buzzworthy programs in data science and cybersecurity. Small classes are the norm—the school boasts a 10:1 student-faculty ratio—and the curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning through its Oxbridge Honors Program and critical thought seminars.
This is a residential campus in the classic sense—84% of students live on-site, with housing guaranteed all four years. Traditions run deep, from Greek life (about 30% participation) to NCAA Division II athletics (the Cardinals compete in the GLVC conference). The compact, walkable campus earns praise for its green spaces and communal vibe, while Liberty’s suburban location offers easy access to Kansas City’s music and internship scene. Student Life’s Instagram (@wjc.studentlife) showcases a steady stream of concerts, intramurals, and quirky events like "Dorm Wars."
Jewell’s outcomes defy its modest size. Washington Monthly ranks it in the top 3% of U.S. colleges for producing Ph.D. graduates and top 10% for mid-career earnings. The four-year graduation rate (56%) outpaces many regional peers, and alumni report a median starting salary of $51,500—strong for a liberal arts school. Forbes highlights its low student debt and leadership pipeline, with graduates appearing on its "American Leaders List."
Like many private liberal arts colleges, Jewell’s sticker price is high but heavily discounted. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests most students pay far less than the published $45,000+ tuition, with need-based grants and Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. widely available. Federal loans average $6,142 per borrower—slightly above the private college norm—but the college emphasizes minimizing debt through work-study and scholarships. Notably, it offers talent-based aid for non-academic strengths, a rarity at liberal arts schools.
William Jewell is that rare breed: a small college with big ambitions. Its Oxbridge-style honors program and emphasis on critical thought evoke elite liberal arts schools, while its nursing and engineering programs deliver job-ready skills. The stats speak volumes—top 10% rankings for earnings and Ph.D. production—but it’s the community that seals the deal. With 84% of students living on campus and traditions ranging from serenades at the "Senior Bench" to midnight breakfasts during finals, Jewell offers the close-knit undergrad experience many crave but few find.
William Jewell College logo · sourceCampus Map | William Jewell College · sourceWilliam Jewell College - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceWILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE - Updated June 2026 - 25 Photos - 500 College Hl, Liberty, Missouri - Colleges & Universities - Phone Number - Yelp · source
