Fort Hays State University vs. McPherson College

Deciding between Fort Hays State University and McPherson College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
  • McPherson College McPherson, KS
  • Setting
  • Fort Hays State University Remote Town
  • McPherson College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Fort Hays State University 12,878
  • McPherson College 878
  • Type
  • Fort Hays State University Public 4 Year
  • McPherson College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fort Hays State University #880
  • McPherson College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fort Hays State University -
  • McPherson College Church of Brethren
  • Status
  • Fort Hays State University Non-profit
  • McPherson College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fort Hays State University
  • McPherson College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fort Hays State University $5,923
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fort Hays State University $17,741
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Room & Board
  • Fort Hays State University $9,120
  • McPherson College $11,498
  • Average Net Price
  • Fort Hays State University $13,186
  • McPherson College $27,110
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fort Hays State University $6,751
  • McPherson College $23,513
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fort Hays State University 92%
  • McPherson College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fort Hays State University 2,619
  • McPherson College 1,846
  • Admitted
  • Fort Hays State University 2,364
  • McPherson College 1,417
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fort Hays State University 90.3%
  • McPherson College 76.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Fort Hays State University 41.8%
  • McPherson College 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fort Hays State University 1060
  • McPherson College 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fort Hays State University 21
  • McPherson College 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fort Hays State University 3.45
  • McPherson College 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fort Hays State University B+
  • McPherson College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fort Hays State University Very Easy
  • McPherson College Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fort Hays State University
  • McPherson College
  • ACT Range
  • Fort Hays State University 18/24
  • McPherson College 18/23
  • SAT Range
  • Fort Hays State University 970/1140
  • McPherson College 960/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fort Hays State University Test optional
  • McPherson College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fort Hays State University
  • McPherson College Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fort Hays State University 15:1
  • McPherson College 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fort Hays State University
    • Business (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • McPherson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Engineering Technology (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fort Hays State University 40%
  • McPherson College 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fort Hays State University $41,400
  • McPherson College $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fort Hays State University 60%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fort Hays State University $20,718
  • McPherson College $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fort Hays State University $214
  • McPherson College $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fort Hays State University 37%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • % Women
  • Fort Hays State University 63%
  • McPherson College 33%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fort Hays State University High
  • McPherson College Medium
  • HBCU
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • McPherson College No
  • % White
  • Fort Hays State University 57%
  • McPherson College 70%
  • % Asian
  • Fort Hays State University 1%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Black
  • Fort Hays State University 4%
  • McPherson College 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fort Hays State University 7%
  • McPherson College 12%
  • % Native American
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • McPherson College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fort Hays State University 2%
  • McPherson College 2%
  • % International
  • Fort Hays State University 29%
  • McPherson College 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fort Hays State University 1%
  • McPherson College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fort Hays State University 83%
  • McPherson College 26%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fort Hays State University 17%
  • McPherson College 70%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • McPherson College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • McPherson College No
  • Learn More
  • Fort Hays State University Details
  • McPherson College Details

Comparable Facts

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

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

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; McPherson College 16:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or McPherson College? 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 McPherson College ($13,186 vs. $27,110).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 20.7% lower than at McPherson College ($9,120 vs. $11,498).
  • McPherson College is 529.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $31,387 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $5,923.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 110.3% higher at McPherson College than at Fort Hays State University (about $19,569 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $17,741.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 248.3% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($23,513 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McPherson College (1080) is 20 points higher than at Fort Hays State University (1060).
  • Incoming Fort Hays State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; McPherson College 960/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; McPherson College 18/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; McPherson College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than McPherson College (76.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

Fort Hays State University vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • McPherson College's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $5,282 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($20,718 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McPherson College graduates ($214 vs. $268).
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.