Friends earns national recognition from 2026 U.S. News and World Report Rankings
Sep 25, 2025
Wichita, KS— Friends University has received recognition among the best colleges and universities in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The 2026 national rankings for Friends University were published on the U.S. News & World Report website.
Friends University was recognized in the following categories:
#47 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
Some colleges are advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of students awarded Pell Grants because of their high financial need. Friends University is among the top fifty in the nation, earning it a U.S. News and World Report Ranking badge. This comes after a consistent jump of rankings over the course of the last five years, starting with a ranking of 128 in 2023.
#124 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)
The category of Regional Universities, split into four regions of North, South, Midwest and West, is for universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs, some master’s programs but few doctoral programs. Friends University has been ranked #124 in the Midwest region for the 2026 academic year.
Using a wide range of data sources, U.S. News analysts and editors calculated more than 80 Best Colleges rankings, all with the intent of enabling students and their families to identify colleges that best meet their needs. The rankings highlight colleges that excel in such areas as value, social mobility, teaching, veterans’ needs, HBCUs and in six academic disciplines (Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Nursing, Economics and Psychology).
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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/