About Fort Hays State University

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University. is a Public college. Located in Kansas, which is a city setting in Kansas, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 12,045 full time undergraduate students, and 2,613 full time graduate students.

The Fort Hays State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 16:1. There are 340 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Fort Hays State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate90%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at FHSU are considered Less Selective, with ,21% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 46 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

63% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 29% were in the top quarter, and 10% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Fort Hays State University.

4%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
63%
“I feel extremely safe”
12%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
15%
“We bought the gear”
73%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
24%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
44%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
24%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
74%
“They keep regular office hours”
22%
“They”re always available”
12%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
46%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
7%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
7%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
52%
“We only party on weekends”
33%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
59%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
19%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
63%
“I feel extremely safe”
12%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
15%
“We bought the gear”
73%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
24%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
44%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
24%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
74%
“They keep regular office hours”
22%
“They”re always available”
12%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
38%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
46%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
7%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
7%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
52%
“We only party on weekends”
33%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
59%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Fort Hays State University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    44 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    37 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    48 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    52 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    52 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    52 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    52 Students rated local services 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    52 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Fort Hays State University?

36 Students rated Fort Hays State University

Alexandra - 05/24/2023

I am glad I chose to attend Fort Hays but there are some downsides compared to the upsides. The on-campus food in the dining hall is average at most, if not below average. The on-campus housing is average and could be a lot worse in my opinion. The professors I have taken a class for have been overall interested in the class and the subject matter. I am a member of a sorority, and although the overall greek life involvement isn't as high as it could be, it is still an amazing group to be a part of.

Emma - 01/17/2023

It's a nice little college with a couple different things you can get involved in with a wide variety of people to meet. I'd say it's mostly safe but people seem to be on a kick of barking at you so be warned. Professors are nice and actually seem to care about you too. All the buildings are nice but the food is something to be desired, regular school food tasting I guess you could say.

Rebekah - 01/10/2023

I love it there. The professors are understanding and really want you to learn the coursework. The advisers actually help you to figure out what you should do next. The other students are there to learn and are very good at helping you out if you get stuck. I have attended a few colleges (as I am an adult learner) and this has to be my favorite out of them.

Habiba - 09/15/2022

FHSU is a really affordable school that gives you a great education for your dollar. All the staff are capable and helpful, the tech support in particular is extremely prompt. There's a great community of students both online and on campus. If you're looking for a school where you can earn your degree for an affordable price, study with lots of support and assistance, and experience a beautiful campus in a great town, FHSU is a sild choice.

Fort Hays State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Fort Hays State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Fort Hays State University is 90%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Knowing what I know today about college life and making the transition, what advice I would give myself is to enjoy the experience. Make a schedule for your studies and make sure academics are completed to the best of your abilities. Start term papers immediately and not wait until the last minute. Do no be afraid to take a lighter class load to make the good grades because the grades are important to get into graduate school. After you have your academics in place, then have fun and make new friends. In college you will meet so many people from diverse backgrounds that will help you in any field you get into. Have an experience that you can look back on in your fifties and know that you did well academically but you had fun.

    Read all  54 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Fort Hays was an excellent student community. Although a small school, we had many exchange students and students from other areas of the country. We had a diverse student body and there were many activities to get involved in. I loved being a part of FHSU's student body. My classmates were fun people who also enjoyed their school.

    Read all  16 answers
  4. What's unique about your campus?

    I like the fact that the university is not overly large. It really gives you a chance to get to know your classmates and also your teachers. Being in a smaller community, you have a lot more personal connections with people who are there to support you.

    Read all  14 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    I would have to say the worst thing about my school is the activites that students can get involved in on campus. There are not very many activities that actually involve all students together. There is also a great deal of focus on the "drinking" social life. Often times, Hays is seen as a party town, where a great deal of drinking happens.

    Read all  12 answers
  6. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    That is took so long to get my financial aid situated so I could enroll in this next semester.

    Read all  11 answers
  7. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Honestly, our school is best known for the drinking amongst all of the students. It is also known for being very cheap when it comes to tuition.

    Read all  10 answers
  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How small the Greek life is.

    Read all  10 answers
  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I love the diverseness of the class offerings, and the ability to complete courses on line. I was nervous about distance learning and of the reviews some schools received as to the quality of the education. The undergraduate degree courses at Fort Hays are tough, using real textbooks, taking real exams and really working hard you can achieve your goals. This requires just as much if not more dedication that physical attendance. The staff is truly wonderful and supportive too. I don't feel lost in the crowd. I could not have picked a better school to attend.

    Read all  7 answers
  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Fort Hays State University, so bluntly put, is your basic liberal arts college which provides both specialty graduate and undergraduate programs as well as a comprehensive base of both scientific and liberal arts coursework to prospering students of not only prospective and current students of the United States of America, but also to overseas programs while at the same time being able to offer education at an affordable rate compared with other 4 year universities.

    Read all  7 answers
  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Those who seek affordability.

    Read all  7 answers
  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Fort Hays State is linked with a college over in China, therefore there are alot of Asians around Campus. If you are someone that does not like Asians then this school would not be a good fit, because you would always run into them and unless you have your own house or pay extra to have your own dorm then you run the risk of getting an Asian as a roommate.

    Read all  7 answers
  13. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Well, I would say the class sizes, they are perfect around 30 less or more of course, but not to large.

    Read all  6 answers
  14. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Most people think we are just an agriculture based school and while we do have a lot of agricultural students, we have a really great business school. We are also stereotyped as a drinking school and that is false, there are people who drink but you'll find that at any college.

    Read all  4 answers
  15. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Oktoberfest is a big event that many of the students take place in. I would say some people party quite a bit at least 2-3 nights a week. There are other activities you can do that do not involve drinking such as go to the movies, play putt-putt golf, frisbee golf, or go to the famous Sternberg museum. Throughout the year there is what is called the Encore series and they usually take place on a weeknight and they vary from acrobats to comedians to musical events. They usually have pretty good shows. One year Ruby Studdard, a former American Idol singer, came and performed.

    Read all  3 answers
  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Fort Hays offers many different activities to be involved in. One nice thing is that students get into all athletic events for free(volleyball, football,basketball,etc.)! I think the school is just right in size. Some of the general education classes might have up to 100 or so students but most of the classes have anywhere to 10 to 30 students, therefore the teacher to student ratio is better. The teachers are all willing to help as much as possible. We have had a few rape incidents but overall I feel like our campus is pretty safe. Most of the people will smile and say Hi as you walk by them and I feel like this is because it is a smaller school than for instance, WSU, KSU, or KU.

    Read all  3 answers
  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    I would say that most teachers to learn the students by name. I would say class attendance requirement is about half and half. With general education classes some students will have in class quizzes so you should probably attend class, some classes take attendance, and some classes don't. Once you get into a program here I would say attendance is required. I am in Radiology and it is a tough program here at Fort Hays but well worth it! We spend a lot of time with our professors. The only downfall to this program is it has a little harder grading scale, it is a 6 point grading scale instead of a 10 point. Fort Hays tries hard in every program to help you find a job once you finish school.

    Read all  2 answers
  18. What are your classes like?

    My classes currently go all day for 3 days. A lot of study time is required to obtain good grades. With my program we have to pass with a 78{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} or above which is a C because we are one a 6 point grading scale instead of a 10 point.

    Read all  2 answers

Student Body

Students

60%

female

40%

male

12,045

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,613

Total Grad Students

21%

Out-Of-State

78%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

105

Student Organizations

3

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

12%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
7%
% White or Caucasian
56%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Fort Hays State University receive some sort of financial aid. 41% were awarded federal grants. While 61% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$14,426

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,080

Books and Supplies

$7,710

Room and Board

23,216

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$9,439
$30 - $48K
$10,300
$48 - $75K
$12,244
$75 - $110K
$14,225
$110K & UP
$14,700

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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