Fort Hays State University vs. Friends University

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with Friends University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than Friends University based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 1,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); Friends University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; Friends University 12:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. Friends University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or Friends University? 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 Fort Hays State University than Friends University ($13,186 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 19.3% lower than at Friends University ($9,120 vs. $11,295).
• Friends University is 477.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $28,269 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.7% higher at Friends University than at Fort Hays State University (about $16,451 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 219.6% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($21,579 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. Friends University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University or Friends University? 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 Friends University and Fort Hays State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 30 points higher than at Friends University (1030).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Friends University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; Friends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Friends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; Friends University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Friends University (3.4).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 44.7% at Friends University.

Fort Hays State University vs. Friends University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University and Friends University? 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).

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Friends University's (27%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $3,794 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($20,718 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($214 vs. $253).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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.