Friends University vs. University of St. Mary

Comparable Facts

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

Friends University is larger than University of St. Mary based on total student enrollment (1,961 students vs. 1,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Friends University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); University of Saint Mary is in Leavenworth, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Friends University 12:1; University of Saint Mary 11:1.

Friends University vs. University of St. Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University or University of St. Mary ? 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 Saint Mary than Friends University ($23,020 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Mary are 8.6% lower than at Friends University ($10,328 vs. $11,295).
• University of Saint Mary is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Friends University (about $1,188 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $34,192.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at University of St. Mary than at Friends University (about $1,188 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $34,192.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at University of Saint Mary (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Mary students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Friends University students ($25,726 vs. $21,579).

Friends University vs. University of St. Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Friends University or University of St. Mary ? 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 University of St. Mary and Friends University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Friends University (1030) is 110 points higher than at University of St. Mary (920).
• Incoming Friends University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at University of St. Mary ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 960/1090; University of Saint Mary 806/1028.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Friends University 15/28; University of Saint Mary 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Friends University - Test optional; University of St. Mary - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Friends University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at University of St. Mary (3.36).
• University of St. Mary has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.7% at Friends University vs. 20.7% at University of St. Mary .

Friends University vs. University of St. Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Friends University and University of St. Mary ? 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 Saint Mary's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Friends University's (27%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than University of St. Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Saint Mary graduates have a $762 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($23,750 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, University of St. Mary graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($245 vs. $253).
• More University of St. Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.