Last Updated: Sunday July 26, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Friends University — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Wichita, Kansas 55.6% Acceptance Rate

Friends University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Wichita, Kansas 67213 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.friends.edu/

Friends University — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

55.6%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
1014Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$44,401Annual Cost
$52,113Grad Salary
33.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
55.6%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
1014
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
915–1090
ACT Middle 50%
17–22
Need-Based Aid
33.7% receive Pell

Friends University, founded in 1898 in Wichita, Kansas, is a Quaker-affiliated institution offering distinctive programs in performing arts, business administration, and health sciences.

The 55-acre campus includes the historic Davis Administration Building, the state-of-the-art Riney Fine Arts Center, and the new Garvey Physical Sciences Center. The university's 'Transformational Education' model combines academic rigor with real-world experiential learning opportunities.

Friends University Acceptance Rate

At 55.6%, admission to Friends University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.

What Friends University Admissions Looks For

  • Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
  • Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective
Friends University Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 55.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Friends University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Friends University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.

Key Admission Dates

🔄
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime

Friends University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.

December 1, 2026Scholarship Deadline
RollingAdmission Type

💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

Friends University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Friends University is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 3.10–3.4 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.60–3.80.

Friends University GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.

Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.

Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Quaker heritage, non-denominational Christian identity; mission centers on integrating intellectual, spiritual, and professional life.
  • Roughly 60% acceptance rate; NAIA athletics (Falcons).
  • Branch campuses in Lenexa and Topeka, Kansas, in addition to the main Wichita campus.
  • Recognized among small/medium-size colleges for volume of business degrees awarded.
  • Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
  • Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at Friends University

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Friends University's verified institutional data

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

Friends University Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Friends University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Friends University Without SAT or ACT?

Friends University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.

Friends University Average SAT Score: 1014

The average SAT score of admitted students at Friends University is 1014 on the 1600-point scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Friends University SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1014 — Accessible

This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.

SAT Math
495
SAT Reading
508
Composite
1014
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1090 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Friends University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

If your score is below 915, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Friends University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for Friends University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math495450540
SAT Reading508465550
SAT Composite10149151090

Below 915, you're behind most admitted students; at 1090 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000

Can I get into Friends University with a 1100 SAT?

A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Friends University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.

Friends University ACT Requirements

The average ACT score at Friends University is 20.

ACT Competitiveness

Friends University ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive

This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for Friends University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math191622
ACT English191522
ACT Composite201722

Can I get into Friends University with a 22 ACT?

A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Friends University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.

Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Friends University.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 20

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Friends University

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Getting into Friends University isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.

Show genuine service experience, not Christian-college boilerplate

Friends' Quaker-heritage mission centers on service to others. An essay or interview should reference one specific service experience, since that's the actual value being screened for.

Confirm your major's actual campus location

Friends operates branch locations in Lenexa and Topeka in addition to the main Wichita campus. Confirm your intended major is taught at the campus you're picturing before assuming Wichita is automatic.

Ask about business and athletic aid stacking

Friends is recognized among small/medium schools awarding the most business degrees and has NAIA football strength. Business-intending applicants and athletes should ask admissions directly how these two areas' scholarship dollars stack.

Understand NAIA recruiting rules if athletics matter to you

Friends competes in the NAIA, not the NCAA. Recruiting timelines and scholarship rules differ, so clarify these directly with coaches rather than assuming NCAA norms apply.

Expert Insight:

Applicants often picture the full Wichita main-campus experience - housing, traditional clubs - at every Friends location. Lenexa and Topeka sites don't offer that same experience, and assuming they do is a common, avoidable mismatch.

Friends University Profile

Full Name
Friends University
City
Wichita
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
67213
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

Is a Friends University Degree Worth It?

Whether Friends University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.

The average household income among admitted students is $60,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.05%.

How much does a degree from Friends University Cost?

The sticker price is $44,401/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.

33.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 50% take federal loans at Friends University — file your FAFSA early and list Friends University as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Friends University Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $52,113 — about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$44,401Annual Cost
33.7%Pell Grant
50%Federal Loan
$52,113Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Friends University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL 977 18
Baptist Health College Little Rock Little Rock, AR 980 20
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT 985 NA
Delaware State University Dover, DE 984 24
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA 994 19
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, GA 1001 18
Clayton State University Morrow, GA 973 18
Columbus State University Columbus, GA 994 21
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA 998 19
Life University Marietta, GA 994 17
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Friends University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Faulkner University Montgomery, AL 1016 20
University of West Alabama Livingston, AL 1015 20
Central Baptist College Conway, AR 1022 20
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Morrilton, AR 1020 20
Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR 1018 19
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Friends University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL 1090 21
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL 1055 21
Spring Hill College Mobile, AL 1090 22
Troy University Troy, AL 1086 22
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR 1049 21

Degree Programs at Friends University

Bachelor Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Friends University Admissions

Median graduate earnings at Friends University run about $52,113 a year.

Friends University costs roughly $44,401 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.

About 33.7% receive a Pell Grant at Friends University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

At 55.6%, Friends University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Admitted students at Friends University average a 3.4 GPA.

Friends University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.1 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

Below 3, Friends University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.

A strong SAT score matters at Friends University — aim above 1014, ideally within the 915–1090 range admitted students typically fall in.

Friends University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.

Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.

Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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