Fort Hays State University vs. Southwestern College

Should I go to Fort Hays State University or Southwestern College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fort Hays State University or Southwestern College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Fort Hays State University vs. Southwestern College comparison
Fort Hays State University Southwestern College College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
Location Hays, KS Winfield, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 12,949 1,174
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #862 #453
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fhsu.edu sckans.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
Tuition (In State) $4,140 $36,500
Tuition (Out of State) $14,580 $36,500
Room & Board $8,481 $9,380
Avg Net Price $13,322 $27,003
Avg Grant Aid $5,387 $26,047
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 100%

Admission

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,828 1,240
Admitted 1,609 870
Acceptance Rate 88% 70.2%
Enrolled % 51.3% 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/22
SAT Range 940/1190 900/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (4%)

Outcomes

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
Graduation Rate 40% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,400 $53,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,718 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $214 $266

Diversity

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
% Men 38% 65%
% Women 62% 35%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 54%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 29% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 15%

Students

 Fort Hays State University Southwestern College
% In-State 80% 36%
% Out-of-State 17% 61%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fort Hays State University is larger than than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (12,949 students vs. 1,174 students)

Fort Hays State University vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or Southwestern College?

  • Southwestern College is 781.6% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($36,500.00 vs. $4,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 150.3% higher at Southwestern College than Fort Hays State University ($36,500.00 vs. $14,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than Southwestern College ($13,322 vs. $27,003)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 10.6% lower than costs at Southwestern College ($8,481 vs. $9,380)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwestern College than Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 383.5% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($26,047 vs. $5,387)

Fort Hays State University vs. Southwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University or Southwestern College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwestern College or Fort Hays State University .

  • Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Southwestern College (3.33)
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Southwestern College (70.2%)

Fort Hays State University vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fort Hays State University or Southwestern College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwestern College and Fort Hays State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwestern College is higher than Fort Hays State University (57% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern College earn on average $11,700 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates after ten years. ($53,100 vs. $41,400)
  • Fort Hays State University students graduate with a $5,032 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwestern College graduates. ($20,718 vs. $25,750)
  • Fort Hays State University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Southwestern College graduates. ($214 vs. $266)
  • More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/