Students at Friends University benefit from a supportive environment that helps them manage debt successfully while achieving modest earnings gains beyond expectations.
The institution provides meaningful access to higher education for first-generation and low-income students in a close-knit campus setting.
Friends University is a small private nonprofit institution in Wichita, Kansas, that emphasizes personalized education and community engagement. While it doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings outcomes, Friends offers a distinctive educational experience characterized by small class sizes and close student-faculty relationships. The university serves a diverse student body, with about 34% receiving Pell Grants and 36% being first-generation college students, demonstrating its commitment to providing access to higher education for students from various backgrounds.
Graduates earn a median of $52,113 ten years after enrollment, which places the university around the national average for earnings outcomes. The institution's strength lies not in producing the highest-earning graduates, but in providing a supportive environment where students can develop personally and professionally. With a 61% six-year graduation rate, Friends University helps students complete their degrees in a nurturing academic setting.
As a small private institution, Friends University offers the intimate campus experience that many students seek, with opportunities for meaningful mentorship and community involvement. For families who value the personal attention and close-knit community that comes with a smaller institution, Friends provides an accessible pathway to a college degree with manageable debt levels and solid career preparation.
Friends University's academic portfolio centers on practical, professionally-oriented programs that prepare students for stable careers in business and related fields. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, with 65 graduates annually, and the highest aggregate return generator, producing median earnings of $43,899 ten years after graduation. This program represents the university's core strength in preparing students for management and leadership roles across various industries.
Accounting Technology and Bookkeeping, while smaller with 24 graduates, demonstrates the university's ability to deliver specialized professional training with strong earning potential. Graduates in this field earn $50,231 ten years out, representing the highest individual earnings among the institution's programs. This reflects the consistent demand for accounting professionals and the practical, skills-focused approach that characterizes Friends University's academic offerings.
The concentration in business-related fields reflects Friends University's mission to provide career-focused education that leads directly to employment opportunities. These programs emphasize practical skills, professional development, and real-world application rather than theoretical research, aligning with the needs of students seeking direct pathways to stable careers. While earnings may be more modest than at research-intensive institutions, the programs provide solid preparation for professional success in the regional economy.
Friends University graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings that align with national averages for similar institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $52,113, placing the university around the 50th percentile nationally. The institution shows slightly positive earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning about $1,500 more than similar students at comparable institutions, indicating that the university adds modest value to student outcomes.
The university's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused fields that prepare students for stable employment. Business Administration and Management represents the largest and highest-return program, graduating 65 students annually with median earnings of $43,899 ten years out. This program generates the strongest aggregate return for the institution, combining solid enrollment with respectable earnings outcomes. Accounting Technology and Bookkeeping, while smaller with 24 graduates, produces higher individual earnings at $50,231, demonstrating the university's strength in business-related fields.
Friends University's approach emphasizes practical skills and professional preparation rather than maximizing earnings potential. The institution's focus on business and professional programs provides graduates with stable career pathways, though earnings tend to be more modest compared to larger research universities or highly selective institutions. For students prioritizing a supportive learning environment and solid career preparation over maximum earning potential, Friends delivers consistent outcomes that support long-term financial stability.
Friends University presents a mixed affordability picture, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay approximately $17,538 annually, which represents a substantial discount from the sticker price and makes the institution accessible to Pell-eligible families. Middle-income families face higher costs at around $23,404 per year, while high-income families pay about $33,926 annually, reflecting the typical private university pricing structure where families with greater means contribute more toward educational costs.
Debt levels at Friends University are manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $25,000 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $12,000. These amounts are reasonable given the institution's private university status and the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations after graduation. With median earnings of $52,113 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment without significant financial strain.
The institution's financial aid approach prioritizes making education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining the resources necessary to provide a quality private university experience. For families who value the benefits of a small, private institution and can manage the associated costs, Friends University offers a pathway to higher education with debt levels that remain within reasonable bounds relative to post-graduation earning potential.
Friends University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
