Friends University vs. UNK

Should I go to Friends University or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Friends University or UNK is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Friends University vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
Friends University University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

 Friends University UNK
Location Wichita, KS Kearney, NE
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,724 6,041
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #723 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website friends.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Friends University UNK
Tuition (In State) $31,172 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $31,172 $12,036
Room & Board $8,326 $11,390
Avg Net Price $23,720 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $19,570 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Friends University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,620 6,794
Admitted 1,025 5,842
Acceptance Rate 63.3% 86%
Enrolled % 25.9% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 950/1181 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Friends University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (62%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Friends University UNK
Graduation Rate 27% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,500 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,512 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $253 $219

Diversity

 Friends University UNK
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 11% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 2%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

 Friends University UNK
% In-State 46% 85%
% Out-of-State 50% 11%

Campus

 Friends University UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Friends University based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 1,724 students)

Friends University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University or UNK?

  • Friends University is 401.2% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($31,172.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 159% higher at Friends University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($31,172.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Friends University ($16,564 vs. $23,720)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Friends University are 36.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,326 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Friends University as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 168.7% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($19,570 vs. $7,282)

Friends University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Friends University or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or Friends University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 35 points higher than at Friends University (1014)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Friends University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Friends University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Friends University (63.3%)

Friends University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Friends University or UNK? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNK and Friends University.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Friends University (61% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Friends University earn on average $3,100 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($46,500 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $3,262 lower median federal student loan debt than Friends University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $24,512)
  • UNK graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Friends University graduates. ($219 vs. $253)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/