ESU vs. Friends University

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS with Friends University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emporia State University is larger than Friends University based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 1,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Friends University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; Friends University 12:1.

ESU vs. Friends University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU or Friends University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Emporia State University than Friends University ($16,094 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 3.1% lower than at Friends University ($10,950 vs. $11,295).
• Friends University is 381.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $27,086 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.8% higher at Friends University than at Emporia State University (about $18,773 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Emporia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 262.6% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($21,579 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. Friends University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU or Friends University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Friends University and ESU .

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFriends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFriends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ESU - Test optional; Friends University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman ESU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Friends University (3.4).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 44.7% at Friends University.

ESU vs. Friends University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU and Friends University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Friends University's (27%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $5,093 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($19,419 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($200 vs. $253).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.