At $25,752/yr net price, Friends University graduates earn $52,113/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,113/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,752 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,113/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,113/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,538/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,122/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,404/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,432/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,926/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,995 | $41,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $22,996 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $48,600 | $17,075 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,899 | $26,300 |
| 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 | $47,833 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $32,711 | $22,500 |
The Risk Factor
61.5% of students at Friends University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Friends University gives you a moderate but manageable financial return. Median debt of $25,000 lines up almost exactly with the median earnings ten years out, so you leave owing roughly what you clear in half a year of pay. That is a workable ratio, but it does not leave much room for a low-paying major.
Your major decides everything here. Information Science pays out well ahead of the pack and clears the median debt load without strain. Accounting holds up too, pairing solid pay with the lightest debt of the bunch. Business Administration is where the math tightens: pay lands below the school median while debt runs higher than accounting, so you carry more and earn less. Human Resources and Teacher Education sit at the bottom for earnings, and teacher pay in particular will make that $25,000 debt feel heavy against a Kansas starting salary.
The main risk is finishing at all. A 70% retention rate means roughly one in three of you does not return after year one, and the 61.5% graduation rate means debt without a degree is a real outcome. Debt with no diploma is the worst financial position you can land in, and it is not rare here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $18,000, well below sticker. Above $110k, you pay close to $34,000, and at that price the earnings payoff only works if you land in Information Science or accounting.
This school fits you if you commit to a business, accounting, or information program and expect to graduate on time. If you are aiming at teaching or HR, or you are unsure you will finish, run the numbers hard before you borrow, because the earnings on those paths do not comfortably cover the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Friends University worth the cost?
Friends University's graduates earn $52,113 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for the $25,752 annual net price. The 61.5% graduation rate and $25,000 median debt create mixed value depending on your program choice.
What are the best paying majors at Friends University?
Information Science graduates from Friends University earn the highest at $63,005, followed by Business Administration at $57,995. Education majors earn significantly less at $48,600, making program selection critical for ROI.
How much debt do Friends University graduates have?
Friends University graduates have a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with average earnings of $52,113, debt-to-income ratios vary significantly by major.
Does Friends University have good job outcomes?
Friends University's 10-year earnings of $52,113 are modest, and the 61.5% graduation rate means about 4 in 10 students don't finish. Job outcomes depend heavily on choosing higher-paying programs like Information Science or Business.