At $13,493/yr net price, Fort Hays State University graduates earn $48,928/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,928/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,493 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,972 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,928/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,928/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,964/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,228/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,389/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,573/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,847/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master | $57,995 | $28,476 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,461 | $15,842 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $19,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,512 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,286 | $24,697 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Master | $51,829 | $24,600 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $51,392 | $22,766 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $48,849 | |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $48,432 | $24,840 |
The Risk Factor
47.8% of students at Fort Hays State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Fort Hays State keeps costs low, and that's the core of its financial case. At $13,493 a year, you graduate with median debt around $21,000, which your median earnings of roughly $49,000 ten years out can cover without wrecking your budget. The debt-to-earnings math here works for most graduates.
Two programs stand out for return. Nursing pays about $57,000 with only $15,842 in debt, the cleanest payoff on the list. Management Information Systems earns nearly the same but carries more debt. Both beat the school's median by a wide margin, so if you land in either, your return is strong.
The weaker end is real. Allied Health Diagnostic and Intervention graduates earn about $48,000 but leave with $25,500 in debt, the highest on the list and paired with below-median pay. Information Science graduates face a similar squeeze at $23,747 in debt against $47,846 in earnings. In those fields you take on more debt for less return than a nursing student.
The main risk is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate within the standard window, and about a quarter don't return after year one. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings gain, and that's the scenario that sinks the math here.
On price by income, the tiers are compressed. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,000 a year. Above $75,000, you pay closer to $16,600. That's a modest gap, so higher-income families won't find deep discounts here.
This school fits you if you're cost-conscious, aiming for nursing or MIS, and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or drawn to the lower-earning health and information programs, weigh the debt carefully before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Hays State University worth the cost?
Fort Hays State University offers reasonable value with a low net price of $13,493 annually and modest debt levels around $21,000. However, the 48% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who don't complete their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Fort Hays State University?
Nursing programs at Fort Hays State lead earnings at over $57,000-$82,000 annually, well above the school's overall graduate average of $48,928. Management Information Systems also shows strong returns at $57,318, while many other programs fall below the institutional average.
How much student debt do Fort Hays State University graduates have?
Fort Hays State graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, which is manageable compared to national averages. The relatively low cost of attendance helps keep borrowing reasonable, though earnings potential varies significantly by major.
Does Fort Hays State University have a good return on investment?
Fort Hays State's ROI depends heavily on program choice and graduation. Nursing and some technical fields offer solid returns, but the low graduation rate and modest overall earnings of $48,928 limit value for many students.