Fort Hays State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Hays, Kansas · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Fort Hays State University is a public university in Hays, Kansas that admits about 90% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $12,569 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Finance and Financial Management Services and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Fort Hays State University is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. For the most recent reporting cycle, Fort Hays State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 90%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1089. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,569 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Fort Hays State University?
Fort Hays State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Fort Hays State University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 470–560, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–24. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1089 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | — |
| 75th percentile | 24 |
How much does Fort Hays State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $5,923 for in-state students and $17,741 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $9,120 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,569 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,569 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Fort Hays State University
Most popular majors at Fort Hays State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Fort Hays State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Finance and Financial Management Services and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Across all programs, Fort Hays State University confers roughly 2,127 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $63,192 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 950 | $63,192 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 233 | $52,869 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 178 | $46,374 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 174 | $51,328 |
| Economics | 156 | — |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | 151 | — |
| Computer Programming | 148 | — |
| Psychology, General | 137 | $45,217 |
Is Fort Hays State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Fort Hays State University disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Fort Hays State University
Common questions parents ask about Fort Hays State University
What GPA do I need for Fort Hays State University?
Fort Hays State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Fort Hays State University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 470–560, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–24.
How much does Fort Hays State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Fort Hays State University after grants and scholarships is $12,569 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $5,923 and $17,741 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Fort Hays State University realistic for my child?
Fort Hays State University admits 90% of applicants, so 470–560 SAT Math is target range and below 470 is a reach. Then check the $12,569 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Fort Hays State University?
Fort Hays State University accepts about 90% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Fort Hays State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Fort Hays State University is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas.
What are the most popular majors at Fort Hays State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Fort Hays State University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Finance and Financial Management Services and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. The school awards about 2,127 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Fort Hays State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Fort Hays State University reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Fort Hays State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers