Donnelly College

Kansas City, Kansas, United States · Est. 1949 · Private Non-profit

A private Catholic college in Kansas City serving diverse students with affordable bachelor's, associate, and nursing degrees.

  • Founded 1949 by Benedictine Sisters and Bishop George Joseph Donnelly
  • Private, Roman Catholic institution with ~304 students (179 full-time undergraduates)
  • Only HSI and MSI-designated college in Kansas
  • Bachelor's degrees in Business Leadership and Information Systems; multiple associate and nursing programs
  • Urban campus in Kansas City, Kansas; new academic building opened fall 2020
  • College in Prison program since 2001; 30+ graduates as of 2023

Academics

Donnelly offers bachelor's degrees in Business Leadership and Nursing (BSN), along with associate degrees in Arts, Science, and Applied Science. The college also provides nursing certifications (Registered Nurse and Practical Nursing, currently under conditional approval) and business/IT certificates. Students can pursue full- or part-time schedules to balance work and family commitments. The college emphasizes seven learning outcomes including communication, technology literacy, problem-solving, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, academic inquiry, and Catholic values.

Campus & Student Life

Located in the heart of Kansas City, Kansas, near major highways (I-70, I-35, I-670), the college features a new academic building completed in fall 2020, a chemistry lab, and the Blessed Seelos Chapel. The urban campus provides convenient access to cultural attractions and entertainment. Career Services offers mock interviews, job fairs with 20+ employers, resume workshops, and professional skill-building. Students benefit from partnerships with local organizations including Capital Federal Bank, Kansas City Public Library, and numerous community agencies.

Admissions

Donnelly operates a rolling admissions policy with no application fee. Applicants must submit an application, transcripts, and either ACT/SAT scores or take the free Accuplacer Next-Generation placement test on campus. Testing can be waived for students who completed Composition I and College Algebra with a C or better. The college is not currently accepting international students. Some nursing programs have additional selective admissions requirements.

Affordability & Support

The college offers more than 50 merit-, criteria-, and need-based scholarships, including a guaranteed merit scholarship. Most full-time students who qualify for the full Pell Grant pay little to no tuition. The Donnelly Promise provides a tuition-free program for eligible Kansas and Missouri students beginning fall 2026. Financial aid counselors help students navigate FAFSA (school code 001914) and scholarship opportunities.

Founded
1949
Type
Private Non-profit
Courses
10
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationRoman Catholic
Websitehttp://www.donnelly.edu
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
10
Avg career outcomes
$35.7K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources