Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fort Hays State University at a Glance
Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public university in Hays, Kansas, United States. It is the largest university in western Kansas, and the fourth largest of the six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents, with a total enrollment of approximately 15,100 students.
1902
124 years old
$194M
$194 million (2025)
12,878
851
200 acres
Identity
Is Fort Hays State University Worth It?
Fort Hays State University offers moderate value at $12,569/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $48,928, which is 9% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Fort Hays State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in KS
Ranked #79 of 184 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #79 | Fort Hays State University | 46 | $12,569 | $48,928 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fort Hays State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in KS.
Best Programs at Fort Hays State University
The highest-earning program at Fort Hays State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $27,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Fort Hays State University earns $57,700, while a Sociology graduate earns $27,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,375 in median debt vs. $26,483 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,569/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,700 | $57,700 | $18,375 |
| Information Science/Studies | $48,000 | $48,000 | $20,600 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,200 | $44,200 | $23,750 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $41,800 | $41,800 | $16,862 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,600 | $37,600 | $23,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,900 | $36,900 | $16,225 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,700 | $36,700 | $22,786 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $36,000 | $36,000 | $17,909 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,600 | $35,600 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,500 | $35,500 | $20,937 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,100 | $35,100 | $24,081 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $34,900 | $34,900 | $15,000 |
| Social Work | $34,900 | $34,900 | $16,000 |
| Marketing | $32,500 | $32,500 | $18,027 |
| Agriculture, General | $32,400 | $32,400 | $20,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $19,350 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,900 | $28,900 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $17,934 |
| Sociology | $27,000 | $27,000 | $26,483 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Hays, KS
- Student Body
- 9,733 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,569
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,928
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000