“A 175-year-old private liberal arts college near Kansas City where 95% of students receive scholarships and you can earn your degree in 3 years.”
Founded in 1849 by the Missouri Baptist Convention and named for its benefactor William Jewell, William Jewell College is a private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri, that has spent over 175 years cultivating critical thinkers and principled leaders in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The 80-acre campus along Washington Street blends historic brick buildings — including Jewell Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places — with modern academic and residential facilities in a setting that honors long tradition while preparing students for contemporary careers. With approximately 900 students and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, William Jewell offers the intimate academic community of a small liberal arts college paired with the internship and employment resources of a major metropolitan area. The college separated from its founding Baptist affiliation in 2003 and has since operated as a fully independent, nonsectarian institution. The academic program at William Jewell is anchored by strong departments in nursing, business, biology, psychology, and teacher education, and features the distinctive Oxbridge Honours Programme modeled after Oxford and Cambridge tutorial systems — the only such program at a Missouri institution. Notably, the college offers an innovative 3-Year Degree pathway, allowing students to complete a full bachelor's degree in just three years, saving a complete year of tuition. Ranked No. 11 in Regional Colleges Midwest by US News and World Report 2026 and in the top 6% of liberal arts colleges nationally for graduates who go on to earn a PhD, William Jewell punches well above its weight academically for an institution of its size. For international students, William Jewell College represents one of the most affordable accredited private colleges in the Kansas City region, with flat tuition of $19,610 regardless of residency and 95% of students receiving scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition. The college is located in Liberty, a safe and affluent suburb 15 miles northeast of downtown Kansas City, with full access to the metro area's internship market, cultural institutions, and international airport. An active International Students Association (INSA) and dedicated international student advisor support the transition to campus life.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Regional Colleges Midwest
US News Best Colleges 2026
Graduates earning PhDs (liberal arts colleges)
Washington Monthly (top 3%)
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceRegular Decision (Domestic, Rolling)
Rolling admissions; apply early for best scholarship consideration
International Fall Priority
Recommended deadline for international applicants entering Fall semester
International Spring Priority
Recommended deadline for international applicants entering Spring semester
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$19,610
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Strong natural sciences foundation with undergraduate research and pre-professional health pathways that lead to top medical, pharmacy, and graduate school placements.
Practical business education with connections to the Kansas City business community through internships, case competitions, and alumni mentorship.
One of the most popular programs at Jewell, with clinical partnerships across Kansas City-area hospitals and a strong track record of NCLEX pass rates.
Programs in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, and education preparing students for careers in human services and K-12 teaching.
Liberal arts traditions including music, fine arts, English, history, and philosophy underpinned by the distinctive Oxbridge Honours Programme.
4 years
One of William Jewell's most popular and highest-employment programs. Clinical rotations with major Kansas City health systems and a strong NCLEX first-time pass rate lead graduates to nursing careers across the Midwest.
4 years
The only Oxford-and-Cambridge-modeled tutorial honours program in Missouri, available to students in any major. Features one-on-one faculty tutorials, a senior thesis, and an optional term at Oxford or Cambridge. Nationally recognized as a model for rigorous liberal arts education.
3 years
William Jewell offers a structured 3-year bachelor's degree pathway across most majors, saving students an entire year of tuition and living costs. Particularly popular with pre-professional students eager to enter graduate or professional school ahead of peers.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $20,610
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
