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Rockhurst University vs William Jewell College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Kansas City MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Liberty MO

The verdict

Rockhurst University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $103,536 in 5.5 years versus 6.4 years at William Jewell College, on median earnings of $67,102 vs $59,268 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRockhurst UniversityWilliam Jewell College
Net price / yr$25,884$17,562
Total net cost$103,536$70,248
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,102$59,268
Median debt$18,250$24,498
Payback5.5 yrs6.4 yrs
20-year net return$271,304$147,912

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Rockhurst University or William Jewell College?

William Jewell College, at $17,562 a year after aid versus $25,884 — a gap of $8,322 a year, or $33,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rockhurst University or William Jewell College graduates earn more?

Rockhurst University graduates report a median $67,102 ten years after entry, $7,834 more than the $59,268 at William Jewell College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Rockhurst University or William Jewell College?

Rockhurst University: its completers carry a median $18,250 in federal loans versus $24,498 at William Jewell College, a difference of $6,248. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Rockhurst University, against 68% at William Jewell College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Rockhurst University vs William Jewell College: frequently asked questions

Is Rockhurst University or William Jewell College a better value?
Rockhurst University. It clears its $103,536 net cost in about 5.5 years versus 6.4 years at William Jewell College, on median earnings of $67,102 vs $59,268 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Rockhurst University or William Jewell College?
William Jewell College: $17,562/yr net price after aid versus $25,884/yr at Rockhurst University — a difference of $8,322 a year, or about $33,288 over four years.
Do Rockhurst University or William Jewell College graduates earn more?
Rockhurst University graduates earn a median $67,102 ten years after entry, versus $59,268 at William Jewell College — a $7,834 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.