Fort Hays State University vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or USAO? 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 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than Fort Hays State University ($8,070 vs. $13,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 16.6% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($9,120 vs. $10,940).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $3,077 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at USAO than at Fort Hays State University (about $2,449 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Fort Hays State University (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 93.6% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($13,068 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 130 points higher than at Fort Hays State University (1060).
• Incoming USAO students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at USAO (3.43).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 35.7% at USAO.

Fort Hays State University vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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.