Fort Hays State University vs. UNK

Deciding between Fort Hays State University and University of Nebraska at Kearney? 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.

University of Nebraska at Kearney

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
  • UNK Kearney, NE
  • Setting
  • Fort Hays State University Remote Town
  • UNK Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Fort Hays State University 12,878
  • UNK 5,881
  • Type
  • Fort Hays State University Public 4 Year
  • UNK Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fort Hays State University #880
  • UNK #544
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fort Hays State University -
  • UNK -
  • Status
  • Fort Hays State University Non-profit
  • UNK Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fort Hays State University
  • UNK
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fort Hays State University $5,923
  • UNK $8,676
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fort Hays State University $17,741
  • UNK $15,284
  • Room & Board
  • Fort Hays State University $9,120
  • UNK $12,198
  • Average Net Price
  • Fort Hays State University $13,186
  • UNK $16,287
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fort Hays State University $6,751
  • UNK $9,776
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fort Hays State University 92%
  • UNK 89%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fort Hays State University 2,619
  • UNK 5,283
  • Admitted
  • Fort Hays State University 2,364
  • UNK 4,728
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fort Hays State University 90.3%
  • UNK 89.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Fort Hays State University 41.8%
  • UNK 18.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fort Hays State University 1060
  • UNK 1020
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fort Hays State University 21
  • UNK 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fort Hays State University 3.45
  • UNK 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fort Hays State University B+
  • UNK B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fort Hays State University Very Easy
  • UNK Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fort Hays State University
  • UNK
  • ACT Range
  • Fort Hays State University 18/24
  • UNK 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Fort Hays State University 970/1140
  • UNK 905/1125
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fort Hays State University Test optional
  • UNK Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fort Hays State University
  • UNK Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fort Hays State University 15:1
  • UNK 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fort Hays State University
    • Business (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • UNK
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fort Hays State University 40%
  • UNK 61%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fort Hays State University $41,400
  • UNK $43,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fort Hays State University 60%
  • UNK 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fort Hays State University $20,718
  • UNK $21,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fort Hays State University $214
  • UNK $219
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fort Hays State University 37%
  • UNK 36%
  • % Women
  • Fort Hays State University 63%
  • UNK 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fort Hays State University High
  • UNK Low
  • HBCU
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • UNK No
  • % White
  • Fort Hays State University 57%
  • UNK 79%
  • % Asian
  • Fort Hays State University 1%
  • UNK 1%
  • % Black
  • Fort Hays State University 4%
  • UNK 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fort Hays State University 7%
  • UNK 11%
  • % Native American
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • UNK 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • UNK 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fort Hays State University 2%
  • UNK 2%
  • % International
  • Fort Hays State University 29%
  • UNK 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fort Hays State University 1%
  • UNK 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fort Hays State University 83%
  • UNK 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fort Hays State University 17%
  • UNK 10%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • UNK Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • UNK No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • UNK Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • UNK No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fort Hays State University Yes
  • UNK Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
  • Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or UNK? 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 UNK ($13,186 vs. $16,287).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 25.2% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,120 vs. $12,198).
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is 46.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,753 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $5,923.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Fort Hays State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $2,457 more per year; $17,741.00 vs. $15,284.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (92% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 44.8% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($9,776 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 40 points higher than at UNK (1020).
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Fort Hays State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UNK (3.24).
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UNK (89.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Fort Hays State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $532 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($20,718 vs. $21,250).
  • Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($214 vs. $219).
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.