Head-to-head · 2026
Donnelly College vs University of Kansas
Compare average net price ($11,476 at Donnelly College; $18,059 at University of Kansas), ROI score (7.78 vs 8.58), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,715 vs $61,945), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Donnelly College; 93.5% at University of Kansas) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Donnelly College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.78 | 8.58 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,476 ✓ | $18,059 |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,904 ✓ | $72,236 |
| In-state tuition | $10,440 | $12,102 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,440 | $30,432 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,715 | $61,945 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 93.5% |
| Graduation rate | 45.8% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 57.9% | 86.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,842 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 395 | 21,217 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1190 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Donnelly College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,542 ✓ | $12,544 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,463 ✓ | $12,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,484 ✓ | $15,154 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,907 ✓ | $19,169 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $22,544 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Donnelly College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.8% | 3.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 3.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.2% | 4.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2% | 2.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Donnelly College reports the lower average net price by $6,583 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,332 difference over four years ($45,904 vs $72,236).
University of Kansas reports $26,230 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,945 vs $35,715). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 57.9% at Donnelly College and 86.5% at University of Kansas. Median federal debt among completers is $11,842 vs $21,000, respectively.
4 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Donnelly College vs University of Kansas, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Donnelly College is cheaper — average net price $11,476 per year vs $18,059 at University of Kansas. The annual difference of $6,583 adds up to about $26,332 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Kansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,945 vs $35,715 at Donnelly College. The gap in the federal data is $26,230. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.