William Jewell College

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Excellent, Engaged Liberal Arts Education at William Jewell

William Jewell College appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.

Ranked 109th nationally by Washington Monthly, William Jewell College is a private, nonsectarian GLVC member in Missouri’s Kansas City Metro that develops critical thinking skills in 33 bachelor’s and one master’s majors plus the Dual Credit (High School/College) Program at a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the B.A. in Communication has a 124-credit, four-year curriculum headed by Dr. Gina Lane where undergrads can publish The Hilltop Monitor, intern with Fleishman-Hillard, take the Pryor Leadership Program, and visit Spain. Chaired by Dr. Leesa McBroom, the B.S. in Nursing requires 124 credits of CCNE-accredited courses and 650 hours at clinical placements, such as Centerpoint Medical Center or Excelsior Springs Hospital, for a 100 percent NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.

Since 2014, the Education Department led by Dr. Donna Gardner has granted a 124-credit B.S. in Elementary Education that integrates five Grades 1-6 practica with full-year student teaching for 100 percent job placement at Kansas City Public Schools, Lee’s Summit School District, Fort Osage Schools, and more. Directed by Dr. Ian Coleman, the B.A. in Music follows a 124-credit, NASM-accredited path where Cardinals can become Choral Scholars, attend the Harriman-Jewell Series, join the Liberty Symphony Orchestra, and perform at the 225-seat Peters Theater. Other degrees include the B.A. in Data Science, B.S. in Civil Engineering, B.A. in International Relations, B.A. in Philosophy, B.S. in Physics, B.A. in Psychological Science, and M.S.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction.

About William Jewell College

William Jewell College originated in 1849 when First Baptist Church minister Dr. William Jewell donated $10,000 to build a religious school on Judge Vance Thompson’s Liberty land. In 1861, Jewell Hall was utilized as a Union hospital during the Civil War’s Action at Blue Mills Landing. In 1897, Jewell graduated the “Father of Route 66” Cyrus Avery with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1920, WJC became coeducational for equal opportunity to men and women. In 1926, William Jewell College built John Gano Chapel in honor of the clergyman who baptized George Washington. In 1973, famed operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti came to WJC for the Harriman-Jewell Series. Five years later, WJC was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1982, Jewell launched the Oxbridge Honors Program for studying abroad. In 2013, William Jewell College invested $15 million to erect the 26,000-square-foot Pryor Learning Commons. In 2014, the M.S.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction became Jewell’s first graduate degree.

Endowed for $63.8 million, William Jewell College now employs 108 faculty teaching 803 undergrad and five post-grad Cardinals at its historic 200-acre Liberty campus off Interstate 35 or in nearly 60 countries via Journey Grants with 55+ clubs like the Debate Team. In 2019, Jewell received the SPS Future Faces of Physics Award. In 2012, WJC won the Kappa Alpha Order Academic Excellence Award. William Jewell College had the 2017 MOACAC Rising Star Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report named Jewell the ninth best college and 13th top value in the Midwest. On Niche, WJC boasts America’s 96th best sport management, 184th top nursing, and 219th best history degrees. Forbes deemed William Jewell College the 168th best liberal arts school. Kiplinger’s crowned WJC the 169th best investment. WalletHub chose Jewell 114th for professor resources and 154th for admission selectivity.

William Jewell College Accreditation Details

On July 10, 2019, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council notified William Jewell College that the probation status for its Level III accreditation was successfully removed under President Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, Ph.D., who earned an ACE National Women’s Leadership Forum Award. Located 495 miles northeast via Route 36 in Chicago, this giant 19-state Great Plains Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE). Further, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) has accredited Jewell since September 1, 1978. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) also reaffirmed William Jewell College on September 28, 2009.

William Jewell College Application Requirements

Admission at William Jewell College is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because just 605 of the 1,316 Fall 2018 applicants got acceptance letters for tough 46 percent odds. First-year Cardinals must fulfill 24+ college-prep academic units during high school. The Oxbridge Honors Program only admits freshmen between 18 and 22 years old in the top 10th percentile. The Class of 2022 reported a mean secondary GPA of 3.79. Mid-range SAT scores were 480-665 for Reading and 500-620 for Math. Median admitted ACT composite scores were 22-28. Department of Nursing entrants must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and 22 ACT score. Qualified transfers can carry up to 90 semester credits graded C or better from four-year, accredited colleges. International students must exceed the 79 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 450 SAT Reading minimum. The M.S.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction seeks certified K-12 Missouri educators with bachelor’s GPAs above 3.0. Two or more years of classroom experience are needed.

William Jewell College suggests freshmen file between July 1st and October 15th. Undergrad candidates are considered until March 15th. Complete financial aid packages are sent on April 15th. The Oxbridge Honors Program has October 15th priority and January 15th final dates. The 12-month Accelerated Summer BSN Track closes on November 15th. Transfers and post-grad M.S.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction have a rolling admission process. It’s suggested non-U.S. residents apply by July 15th for Fall or December 1st for Spring though. Accordingly, complete the free WJC or Common Application online. Mail sealed transcripts to 500 College Hill in Liberty, MO 64068. Forward official test scores using ACT code 2394 or SAT/TOEFL code 6941. File extra materials, such as the K-12 teacher certification, professional resume, two recommendations, background check, and 500-word personal essay. Contact (816) 415-7511 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, William Jewell College is billing full-time undergrads $16,750 per semester or $33,500 annually. Part-time study incurs $980 per credit. The RN to BSN Program is discounted to $520 per credit. Bachelor’s majors cover the $600 technology fee, $150 activity fee, and $200 wellness services fee each year. Residing at the Liberty campus’ dorms like Melrose Hall adds $5,640 to $10,250 for yearly rent. Unlimited Cardinal Dollars plans for Jewell Dining Hall are $4,460 extra. WJC budgets $800 for books and $3,868 for miscellaneous. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $48,998 on-site or $39,800 with family. The M.S.Ed. in Differentiated Instruction is priced $400 per credit. Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated BSN cohorts spend $13,143 each term.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office on Curry Hall’s 1st Floor links 100 percent of incoming full-time WJC Cardinals to median tuition assistance of $26,304 apiece for $5.21 million combined. Institutional funds include the Dilts Undergraduate Research Award, Project Lead the Way Scholarship, Heritage Award, Jewell Access Grant, NCAA Division II Athletic Scholarship, Liberty Housing Scholarship, Debate Scholarship, Alexander Doniphan Scholarship, Orchestral Scholarship, Transfer Achiever Scholarship, H.I. Hester Religious Studies Award, Yates Medallion Scholarship, and Faculty Scholarship. The Oxbridge Honors Program Scholarship provides $26,000 annually plus a one-year Oxford experience abroad for select undergrads with GPAs above 3.4. The $11,000 Presidential Scholarship supports top-tier freshmen meeting the 24 ACT or 1170 SAT score minimum. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Work-Study Program, require FAFSA applications coded 002524. Missourians can also pursue the Bright Flight Scholarship, Advanced Placement Incentive Grant, Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant, Kids’ Chance Scholarship, Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship, and more.

Use the Program Finder tool to search through 35+ close-knit, coed learning opportunities placed 328th overall by Times Higher Education at the William Jewell College website.