Friends University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Friends University based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 1,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Friends University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Friends University 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Friends University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than Friends University ($21,530 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 15.4% lower than at Friends University ($9,552 vs. $11,295).
• Friends University is 32.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $8,366 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.4% higher at Friends University than at Columbia College (about $8,366 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 35.9% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($21,579 vs. $15,882).

Friends University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Friends University or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Friends University.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Friends University - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Friends University (3.4).

Friends University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Friends University and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Friends University's (27%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,478 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($22,034 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($227 vs. $253).
• More Friends University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.