Fort Hays State University is a public 4-year college in Hays, Kansas with 9,733 undergraduates. It admits 90% of applicants, costs an average of $16,333 a year after grants and graduates 53% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Fort Hays State University acceptance rate and admissions
Fort Hays State University admitted 90% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 500 to 580, math 470 to 560). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Fort Hays State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $6,111 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $18,433 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $9,438 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $20,455 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $16,333 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $16,333 a year after grants and scholarships, $4,122 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Fort Hays State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Fort Hays State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 53% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $53,030 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $19,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 37% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Fort Hays State University majors and what graduates earn
Fort Hays State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 38 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($79,957).
All 38 majors at Fort Hays State University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 120 | $79,855 | $79,957 | $14,750 |
| Computer Programming | 102 | $73,010 | $73,380 | $19,705 |
| Political science | 12 | n/a | $72,384 | n/a |
| Information science | 48 | $58,314 | $67,823 | $21,271 |
| Finance | 290 | $49,990 | $64,524 | $17,895 |
| Accounting | 47 | $60,972 | $63,148 | $22,850 |
| Marketing | 84 | $50,419 | $62,261 | $12,970 |
| Business administration | 234 | $52,539 | $61,153 | $22,707 |
| Agribusiness | 45 | $50,763 | $58,520 | $14,200 |
| Allied health (PA, radiography, therapy and more) | 47 | $69,894 | $58,463 | $19,600 |
| Biology | 49 | $37,096 | $58,355 | $19,499 |
| Criminal justice | 43 | $47,135 | $55,790 | $23,335 |
| Teacher education by subject | 101 | $47,919 | $53,945 | $16,682 |
| Social work | 41 | $46,570 | $53,549 | $17,500 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 137 | $43,618 | $53,176 | $21,845 |
| Psychology | 101 | $40,845 | $51,898 | $19,500 |
| Speech-language pathology | 26 | n/a | $50,246 | $15,544 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 187 | $43,387 | $45,190 | $19,000 |
| Sociology | 27 | $44,430 | $44,405 | $27,554 |
| Fine and studio arts | 27 | $36,307 | $39,280 | $20,287 |
| Economics | 143 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | 88 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Management information systems | 67 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Agriculture, General | 43 | $47,797 | n/a | $15,250 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 29 | $67,099 | n/a | $19,500 |
| Linguistics | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hospitality management | 18 | $42,847 | n/a | n/a |
| History | 17 | n/a | n/a | $22,334 |
| Geology and earth sciences | 15 | $45,786 | n/a | $20,513 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Communication | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| English | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 6 | n/a | n/a | $17,393 |
| Industrial engineering | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Fort Hays State University
20 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 20 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Master's | 185 | $54,070 | $20,261 |
| Special education | Master's | 116 | $52,689 | $20,500 |
| Business administration | Master's | 72 | $77,547 | $29,374 |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 56 | $56,038 | $31,004 |
| Education leadership | Master's | 53 | $63,124 | $24,447 |
| Social work | Master's | 52 | n/a | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | Master's | 45 | $69,486 | $24,662 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's | 38 | $59,110 | $27,805 |
| Psychology | Master's | 32 | $54,889 | $22,000 |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 24 | $50,847 | n/a |
| History | Master's | 23 | $67,007 | n/a |
| Nursing | Professional doctorate | 20 | n/a | n/a |
| Speech-language pathology | Master's | 18 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 17 | $85,619 | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | Master's | 16 | $56,574 | n/a |
| Biology | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Communication | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at Fort Hays State University
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 35 | $60,619 | $62,165 | $16,350 |
Students and location
- 9,733 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 62% women, 38% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: remote town
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Fort Hays State University?
Fort Hays State University admitted 90% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Fort Hays State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $6,111 for in-state students and $18,433 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $16,333 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Fort Hays State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 500 to 580 in reading and writing and 470 to 560 in math, and 18 to 24 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Fort Hays State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Fort Hays State University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Fort Hays State University?
53% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Fort Hays State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $53,030 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in Kansas · Fort Hays State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.