Fort Hays State University: 88.0% Acceptance Rate

88.0%Acceptance

$5,633Tuition

9,792Students

48%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$48,928Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University trains future teachers across Kansas and beyond. This public regional university enrolls 9,792 students in the remote town of Hays. The school built its reputation on strong teacher education programs that supply educators throughout the state. NFL Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers and former U.S. Congressman Dennis Moore both graduated from Fort Hays. The university accepts 88% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21.

Students pay an average net price of $13,493 after aid, making this one of the more affordable options in higher education. Out-of-state students face tuition of $16,811, still reasonable for a four-year degree. Graduates earn a median salary of $48,928 ten years after leaving school. Most students borrow $21,000 to finance their education, leading to monthly loan payments of $223. The math works for students seeking practical career preparation without crushing debt.

Women make up 61% of the student body, reflecting the university's strength in education and health sciences. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division II with 462 student-athletes across 15 sports. Students benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio that provides personal attention. However, only 48% of students graduate within six years, suggesting academic support could be stronger.

Academics & Faculty

Fort Hays State built its reputation on teacher education, producing educators across Kansas and the Great Plains for over a century. The university maintains strong programs in education, business, and health sciences that prepare students for practical careers. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for professors to know students personally. The 47.8% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many first-generation college students face, but also shows the university's commitment to serving rural and working-class families. Students here value affordability and job preparation over prestige. The nursing and criminal justice programs have grown , drawing students who want hands-on training without the debt burden of larger universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 49.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 49.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 47.8%
Retention Rate: 76.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $48,928
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$82,440
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.	Master	$57,995
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$57,461
Management Information Systems and Services.	Bachelor	$57,318
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.	Master	$55,512
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$55,286
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Master	$51,829
Educational Administration and Supervision.	Master	$51,392
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians.	Bachelor	$48,849
Educational/Instructional Media Design.	Master	$48,432

View all 78 programs →

Campus Life

Fort Hays State sits in western Kansas, about 270 miles from Kansas City, surrounded by wheat fields and prairie that stretch to the horizon. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, so students pack heavy coats for the snowy months that can last through March. With housing capacity for 1,731 students and total enrollment of 9,792, only about 18% of students live on campus, creating a commuter-heavy atmosphere.

The town of Hays has roughly 21,000 residents, making the university a major presence in this remote setting. Students often head to Gross Memorial Coliseum for Tigers basketball games or explore the nearby Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Many drive to Salina or even Kansas City for weekend entertainment, though campus activities and Greek life provide local options. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name, particularly important for the university's flagship teacher education programs. With 61% of students being women and 83% coming from Kansas, the campus maintains a tight-knit, Midwestern feel where everyone seems to know each other.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 1,731 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1902

Campus Safety (2023)

44 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	5	5	0	0
Stalking	7	3	0	0
Fondling	4	4	0	0
Burglary	0	0	5	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	4	0
Rape	2	2	0	0
Domestic Violence	1	1	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 16°–42°F
July Avg: 66°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 24.4"
Annual Snowfall: 15.8"

Student Demographics

Fort Hays State draws primarily from Kansas, with 83% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 61% female, reflecting the university's strong reputation in education and health sciences programs that traditionally attract more women. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many first-generation and working-class families across rural Kansas. The 88% acceptance rate welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds. This mix creates a close-knit community where local students studying to become teachers, nurses, and business professionals form lasting connections in small-town western Kansas.

Men: 38.9%
Women: 61.1%
White: 48.8%
Black: 2.5%
Hispanic: 5.7%
Asian: 1.6%
In-State Students: 82.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.3%

Location

Hays sits in central Kansas, about 270 miles west of Kansas City and 175 miles northwest of Wichita. The town of 21,000 revolves around Fort Hays State University and agriculture, creating a classic college town atmosphere in the heart of the Great Plains. With 82.79% of students coming from Kansas, the campus draws heavily from rural communities across the state. The surrounding landscape features endless wheat fields and cattle ranches under expansive prairie skies. Housing capacity reaches 1,731 students on a campus that serves as the cultural and economic center of this remote region. Students considering colleges in Kansas may also compare Fort Hays State University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Hays, Kansas 67601-4099

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $48,928
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,065
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $36,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $223/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $21,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Fort Hays State University?

Fort Hays State University accepts 88.02% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. The university welcomes students with an average ACT score of 21 and has built a reputation for giving students from rural Kansas and beyond a chance at higher education.

How much does Fort Hays State University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $13,493 after financial aid, with graduates carrying a median debt of $21,000. The university keeps costs reasonable with in-state tuition at $5,633 and attracts budget-conscious families seeking quality education without breaking the bank.

What academic programs is Fort Hays State University known for?

Fort Hays State University has earned recognition for its strong teacher education programs that prepare educators across Kansas. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the university provides personalized attention in fields ranging from education to business and health sciences.

What are the graduation rates at Fort Hays State University?

The university graduates 49.16% of students within four years and 47.80% within six years. Graduates earn a median salary of $48,928 ten years after graduation, reflecting the practical career preparation the university provides to students from small-town Kansas.

Where is Fort Hays State University located and what is campus life like?

The university sits in Hays, Kansas, a remote town setting that houses 9,792 students with 1,731 living on campus. With 61.07% women and 82.79% in-state students, the campus creates a tight-knit community where Tigers athletics in NCAA Division II brings students together.

Does Fort Hays State University produce notable alumni?

The university counts NFL Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers and former U.S. Congressman Dennis Moore among its distinguished graduates. Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State has built a legacy of producing leaders who make their mark far beyond the Kansas prairie.