Fort Hays State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Fort Hays State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or NSU? 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 NSU ($13,186 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 14% lower than at Northern State University ($9,120 vs. $10,600).
• Northern State University is 49.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,922 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at Fort Hays State University than at Northern State University (about $5,794 more per year; $17,741.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Fort Hays State University (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fort Hays State University students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($6,751 vs. $6,441).

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Fort Hays State University (1060).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Fort Hays State University (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Fort Hays State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $3,681 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,718 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($214 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.