Fort Hays State University vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

Fort Hays State University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 999 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fort Hays State University vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or OU? 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 OU ($13,186 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 33.2% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($9,120 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 505.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $29,957 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.2% higher at OU than at Fort Hays State University (about $18,139 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 250.9% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($23,692 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University or OU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OU and Fort Hays State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 180 points higher than at OU (880).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at OU (3.12).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than OU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 14.1% at OU.

Fort Hays State University vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University and OU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ottawa University Ottawa's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $1,157 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($20,718 vs. $21,875).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($214 vs. $226).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 46%)

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.