Friends University vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

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

Friends University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,961 students vs. 24 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Friends University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Friends University 12:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Friends University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University or Messenger 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 Messenger College than Friends University ($25,941 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Friends University are 15.1% lower than at Messenger College ($11,295 vs. $13,305).
• Friends University is 194.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $22,572 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.3% higher at Friends University than at Messenger College (about $22,572 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 447.7% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($21,579 vs. $3,940).

Friends University vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Friends University or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and Friends University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Friends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Friends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Friends University - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Friends University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Friends University has a higher acceptance rate (55.2%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.7% at Friends University vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Friends University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Friends University and Messenger College? 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.

• Friends University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Friends University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger 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.