Friends University vs. KU

Friends University and University of Kansas side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Friends University
University of Kansas

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Friends University (55.2% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: KU. Average net price is $19,205 vs $28,889 at Friends University.
  • Graduation: Friends University 27% vs KU 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Friends University $46,500 vs KU $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

Friends University University of Kansas
Acceptance rate
Friends University more selective
Friends University55.2%
KU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KU higher
Friends University960-1090
KU1070-1300
Average net price
KU $9,684 less
Friends University$28,889
KU$19,205
In-state tuition
KU $22,090 less
Friends University$34,192
KU$12,102
Out-of-state tuition
KU $3,760 less
Friends University$34,192
KU$30,432
Graduation rate
KU +34 pts
Friends University27%
KU61%
Median earnings (10 years)
KU +$8,100
Friends University$46,500
KU$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Friends University 1,025
  • KU 22,363
  • Admitted
  • Friends University 566
  • KU 20,905
  • Acceptance rate
  • Friends University 55.2%
  • KU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Friends University 44.7%
  • KU 25.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Friends University 1030
  • KU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Friends University 21
  • KU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Friends University 3.4
  • KU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • Friends University B+
  • KU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Friends University Easy
  • KU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Friends University Low
  • KU
  • SAT range
  • Friends University 960-1090
  • KU 1070-1300
  • ACT range
  • Friends University 15-28
  • KU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Friends University Test optional
  • KU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Friends University
  • KU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Friends University $34,192
  • KU $12,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Friends University $34,192
  • KU $30,432
  • Room & board
  • Friends University $11,295
  • KU $11,358
  • Average net price
  • Friends University $28,889
  • KU $19,205
  • Average grant aid
  • Friends University $21,579
  • KU $11,541
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Friends University 100%
  • KU 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Friends University 27%
  • KU 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Friends University $46,500
  • KU $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Friends University 54%
  • KU 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Friends University $24,512
  • KU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Friends University $253
  • KU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Friends University 12:1
  • KU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Friends University
    • Business (62%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • KU
    • Business (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Friends University Wichita, KS
  • KU Lawrence, KS
  • Setting
  • Friends University Large City
  • KU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Friends University 1,961
  • KU 29,792
  • Type
  • Friends University Private 4 Year
  • KU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Friends University #651
  • KU #317

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Friends University than at University of Kansas (about $3,760 more per year; $34,192 vs. $30,432).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at KU than at Friends University (24 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Friends University and KU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at KU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Friends University (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.7% at Friends University vs. 25.5% at KU.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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