About Friends University
Friends University builds careers through hands-on learning rooted in Christian values. This Evangelical Friends Church-affiliated institution enrolls 1,015 students in Wichita, giving everyone access to professors and practical training. The university emphasizes career preparation over theoretical study, integrating faith with professional skills across its programs.
Students pay an average net price of $25,752 after financial aid, less than the $32,748 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $52,113 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $25,000 manageable with monthly payments around $265. The 96.5% employment rate shows the career-focused approach works. Nearly 28% of students receive institutional grants averaging $19,570, helping make the education affordable for working families.
Athletics dominate campus life with 657 student-athletes competing across 20 NAIA sports as the Falcons. That means nearly two-thirds of students play varsity sports, creating an unusually athletic campus culture. The university awards $3.8 million in athletic scholarships annually. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and 462 beds on campus, Friends maintains the close-knit feel of a small college where coaches know players personally and professors remember every student's name.
Students pay an average net price of $25,752 after financial aid, less than the $32,748 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $52,113 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $25,000 manageable with monthly payments around $265. The 96.5% employment rate shows the career-focused approach works. Nearly 28% of students receive institutional grants averaging $19,570, helping make the education affordable for working families.
Athletics dominate campus life with 657 student-athletes competing across 20 NAIA sports as the Falcons. That means nearly two-thirds of students play varsity sports, creating an unusually athletic campus culture. The university awards $3.8 million in athletic scholarships annually. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and 462 beds on campus, Friends maintains the close-knit feel of a small college where coaches know players personally and professors remember every student's name.
Academics & Faculty
Friends University builds its academic reputation around practical career preparation rooted in Christian values. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom environments where professors know students by name and can provide personalized guidance. However, the 53.71% four-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to complete programs on schedule. The university particularly excels in business, education, and health sciences programs that prepare students for immediate employment after graduation. With just 1,015 total students, academic programs emphasize hands-on learning and internship opportunities that connect classroom theory to real-world applications. The Quaker tradition influences the curriculum through service learning and community engagement requirements across all majors.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 33.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 53.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 61.5%
- Retention Rate
- 69.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,113
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $63,005 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,995 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,231 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $48,600 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,899 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $36,992 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $36,069 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $32,711 |
Campus Life
Friends University sits in Kansas's largest city, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing and summer heat climbs into the 90s. Only 45% of the 1,015 students can live in campus housing, so most commute from around Wichita. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio creates tight-knit classes where professors know every name.
The Quaker heritage shapes daily rhythms through required chapel services and faith-integrated coursework. With 657 total athletes competing in 20 NAIA sports, Falcons games draw campus crowds. The diverse student body is 50% white with significant Hispanic (21%) and Black (11%) populations. Weekend activities center around the city's museums, Old Town entertainment district, and outdoor recreation at nearby lakes. Many students work part-time jobs since 62% are Kansas residents who stay local after classes. The employment rate hits 96.5% after graduation, reflecting the university's focus on practical career preparation. Small class sizes and personalized attention define the academic experience, though the 54% four-year graduation rate suggests some students need extra time to finish.
The Quaker heritage shapes daily rhythms through required chapel services and faith-integrated coursework. With 657 total athletes competing in 20 NAIA sports, Falcons games draw campus crowds. The diverse student body is 50% white with significant Hispanic (21%) and Black (11%) populations. Weekend activities center around the city's museums, Old Town entertainment district, and outdoor recreation at nearby lakes. Many students work part-time jobs since 62% are Kansas residents who stay local after classes. The employment rate hits 96.5% after graduation, reflecting the university's focus on practical career preparation. Small class sizes and personalized attention define the academic experience, though the 54% four-year graduation rate suggests some students need extra time to finish.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 462 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1898
Campus Safety (2023)
28 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 22°–43°F
- July Avg
- 69°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 34.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 12.7"
Student Demographics
Friends University draws students who value faith-based education combined with hands-on career training. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, reflecting the school's diverse program offerings from business to education to athletics. About 62% come from Kansas, showing strong regional appeal among families seeking affordable Christian higher education. One-third receive Pell Grants, indicating the university successfully serves working-class students. The Quaker heritage attracts students looking for a community that emphasizes service, simplicity, and practical application of faith in their future careers.
- Men
- 50.8%
- Women
- 49.2%
- White
- 50.9%
- Black
- 10.6%
- Hispanic
- 21.2%
- Asian
- 1.2%
- In-State Students
- 61.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 33.7%
Location
Friends University sits in Wichita, Kansas, the state's largest city with over 390,000 residents. The campus operates within Kansas's economic center, home to major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Cessna. Wichita lies roughly 200 miles southwest of Kansas City and 350 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. The Great Plains location means flat terrain stretching in all directions, with hot summers and cold winters typical of the Midwest. Students find internship and job opportunities abundant in aerospace, healthcare, and business sectors throughout the metro area. The 1,015-student enrollment creates a tight-knit community within this larger urban environment. Students considering colleges in Kansas may also compare Friends University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Wichita, Kansas 67213
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,113
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,821
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $42,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 51.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Friends University?
Friends University accepts 63% of applicants, making admission moderately competitive. The average SAT score is 1066, reflecting the school's focus on accessible Christian education rather than academic exclusivity.
How much does Friends University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $25,752 after aid, less than the sticker price of $32,748. About 34% of students receive Pell Grants, and the university provides substantial institutional grants averaging $19,570 to help make Christian education affordable.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Friends University?
Friends University maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,015 total students. This small Quaker-affiliated university emphasizes close mentoring relationships and faith integration across its academic programs.
What do Friends University graduates earn after college?
Graduates earn a median salary of $52,113 ten years after enrollment, with a strong 96.5% employment rate. The university's emphasis on practical career preparation and Christian values helps students find meaningful work in their chosen fields.
Where is Friends University located and what is campus life like?
Friends University sits in Wichita, Kansas, with on-campus housing for 462 students out of its 1,015 enrollment. The Falcons compete in 20 NAIA sports, and athletics receive significant funding with $3.8 million in scholarships distributed among 657 student-athletes.
Does Friends University have good graduation rates?
Friends University graduates 54% of students in four years and 62% within six years. The 70% retention rate reflects the close-knit Christian community, though some students transfer to larger institutions for different academic or social environments.
