Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kansas City, Kansas
Donnelly College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$22,227Annual Cost
$35,715Grad Salary
63.1%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
63.1% receive Pell
Donnelly College is a private, Catholic institution in Kansas that provides an accessible and affordable undergraduate education designed to serve a diverse, often underserved, student population. With its focus on small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a supportive campus community, the college fosters both intellectual growth and character development. It offers a meaningful, values-centered path for students looking to earn their college degree while integrating their personal goals with their broader academic ambitions.
Donnelly College Acceptance Rate
Donnelly College runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Donnelly College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Donnelly College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Donnelly College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Donnelly College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Donnelly College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Donnelly College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Donnelly College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Donnelly College Without SAT or ACT?
Donnelly College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Donnelly College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Donnelly College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Apply now for the Donnelly Promise if Pell-eligible from KS or MO
Starting Fall 2026, Donnelly is launching a tuition-free guarantee for Pell-eligible Kansas and Missouri residents, covering tuition and fees with no minimum high school GPA required. Any counseling for a financially-constrained student from this region should lead with this program by name, not general financial aid - it removes cost as a barrier entirely if the student qualifies.
File the FAFSA before anything else - it's the actual gate, not the application
Because admission is open, the real bottleneck for the Donnelly Promise is FAFSA completion and Pell eligibility verification (Donnelly's school code is 001914) - walk students through FAFSA first, since the tuition guarantee depends entirely on that determination, not on academic review.
Use free on-campus ACCUPLACER if test scores are weak or missing
Donnelly requires either an ACT/SAT score or the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation placement test, which the college offers for free on campus. Students without competitive test scores shouldn't be discouraged - the ACCUPLACER path exists specifically to place them into the right starting courses regardless of prior testing.
Confirm international student status before applying - Donnelly isn't accepting them currently
Donnelly College is explicitly not accepting international students at this time. Any student researching Donnelly with an international status should be redirected immediately rather than investing time in an application that can't be processed.
Expert Insight:
Because admission is open with no application fee, students sometimes treat Donnelly as low-stakes and skip mandatory Dragon Week orientation - this session is required for all new students before classes begin and covers enrollment finalization, so it can't be skipped without delaying the start date.
Donnelly College Profile
Full Name
Donnelly College
City
Kansas City
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66102
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Donnelly College Degree Worth It?
Donnelly College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $46,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.56%.
How much does a degree from Donnelly College Cost?
The sticker price is $22,227/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
63.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 18.2% take federal loans at Donnelly College — file your FAFSA early and list Donnelly College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Donnelly College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $35,715 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Donnelly College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Donnelly College Admissions
Median earnings for Donnelly College graduates sit around $35,715 a year.
At about $22,227 a year, Donnelly College is on the more affordable end.
With 63.1% of Donnelly College students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Donnelly College is the key move.
Donnelly College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.