Friends University vs. KU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than Friends University based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Friends University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Friends University 12:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

Friends University vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University or KU? 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 University of Kansas than Friends University ($19,205 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Friends University are 0.6% lower than at University of Kansas ($11,295 vs. $11,358).
• Friends University is 182.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $22,090 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Friends University than at University of Kansas (about $3,760 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 87% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($21,579 vs. $11,541).

Friends University vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 160 points higher than at Friends University (1030).
• Incoming KU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Friends University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 960/1090; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 15/28; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Friends University - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Friends University (3.4).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.7% at Friends University vs. 25.5% at KU.

Friends University vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Friends University and KU? 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).

• University of Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Friends University's (27%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Friends University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $4,012 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($211 vs. $253).
• More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.