Fort Hays State University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Fort Hays State University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 12,878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Marcos than Fort Hays State University ($10,241 vs. $13,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 35.6% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($9,120 vs. $14,152).
• California State University San Marcos is 36.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,159 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Fort Hays State University (about $2,941 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at California State University San Marcos (92% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($11,123 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and Fort Hays State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Fort Hays State University (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Fort Hays State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University and California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $2,723 lower median loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates ($17,995 vs. $20,718).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Hays State University graduates ($186 vs. $214).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.