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Friends University

Wichita, KS·Private nonprofit·1,015 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,015 students.

56%
Accept
1,015
Students
$25,752
Net Price
61%
Grad Rate
$46,900
Earnings
10 yr
$17,413
Debt

About This School

Friends University is a private nonprofit institution located in Wichita, Kansas with approximately 1,015 undergraduate students enrolled. Friends University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 56%. The average net price after financial aid is $25,752 per year. The graduation rate is 61%, and the typical graduate earns $46,900 within 10 years of enrollment.

Friends University is a private nondenominational Christian university in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1898. The main building was originally built in 1886 for Garfield University but was donated in 1898 to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) by James Davis, a St. Louis business man. In the 1930s the leadership of the school was turned over to an independent board of trustees, with some representation of the Mid-America Yearly Meeting of Friends on the board. It operates today with "an amicable but independent relationship with the evangelical branch of the Society of Friends."

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 61% graduation rate and 70% freshman retention suggest a meaningful share of students don't make it through, which is worth asking about before enrolling. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a relatively modest $17,413, and Wichita's cost of living helps stretch your dollar at a small Christian university with a tight-knit feel. Worth considering if you're drawn to faith-integrated education and want a smaller campus, but push admissions on what support systems exist to help students finish.

Founded
1898
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing28%
Biological Sciences11%
Psychology9%
Education8%
Visual & Performing Arts6%
Health Professions4%
Engineering2%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Vernon L. SmithGeorge KellyRich MullinsJune Bacon-Bercey

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1014
Reading 75th %ile550
Math 75th %ile540

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$32,748
Out-of-State Tuition
$32,748
Avg Net Price
$25,752
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants34%
Median debt at graduation$17,413

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
61%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
70%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,900
after enrollment
Median Debt
$17,413
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$17,413
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$42,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,900
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.7x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White51%
Black11%
Hispanic/Latino21%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,015 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Friends University

2100 W. University Ave.

Wichita, KS 67213

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Kansas

Browse all Kansas schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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