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Rockhurst University

#869 in US ranking Kansas City, MO
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$61,240
Tuition & fees
$46,270
Avg. aid
$31,940
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
70%
Avg. SAT
1186
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
75%
Median salary
$68,658
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Rockhurst University?

Rockhurst University is a private Jesuit institution founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1910. It began as Rockhurst College, established by the Society of Jesus to provide Catholic higher education in the city, and adopted the Rockhurst University name in 1998.

Its history still shapes its academic identity: Rockhurst combines liberal arts study with professional programs and an emphasis on service. Nursing and other health-sciences programs have expanded its range beyond the traditional undergraduate college. Applicants comparing programs should pay attention to the school or college that offers their intended degree, since clinical training, admission rules, and campus arrangements can differ.

What are the faculties and departments at Rockhurst University?

Rockhurst offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, and health professions. Its academic organization includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the Helzberg School of Management, and Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Undergraduate options include fields such as biology, psychology, computer science, business, nursing, and education. Graduate and professional study includes health-related and business programs. The distinction between an undergraduate major and a professional pathway matters: a student interested in nursing, for example, should check the specific degree route, clinical requirements, and admission process rather than assume that university admission alone secures a place in every program.

What is the location of Rockhurst University?

Rockhurst University's main campus is in Kansas City, Missouri, near the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Country Club Plaza area. This urban location gives students access to employers, health care organizations, and cultural venues, but it also makes commuting arrangements an important part of enrollment planning.

Students can live on campus or travel in for classes; campus parking is available to first-year students. Anyone considering a health-sciences program should confirm where its classes and clinical placements take place, because those activities may require travel beyond the main campus. Kansas City International Airport serves the region for students traveling longer distances.

What is the mission and vision of Rockhurst University?

Rockhurst describes its educational purpose through its Catholic, Jesuit identity. Its stated priorities include intellectual development, ethical reflection, service, and educating students as whole people - not solely preparing them for a particular occupation.

That philosophy appears in the university's emphasis on service and reflection alongside academic study. Prospective students do not need to share a religious affiliation to evaluate the university, but they should expect Jesuit language and traditions to be visible in campus programming. Its mission is a statement of institutional aims, not independent evidence that every student has the same experience.

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Rockhurst University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Rockhurst University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1909

Rockhurst University Accreditation

Rockhurst University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Rockhurst University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.