Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Fort Hays State University

Should I go to Metropolitan State College of Denver or Fort Hays State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State College of Denver or Fort Hays State University 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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Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Fort Hays State University comparison
Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State College of Denver
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Overview

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
Location Denver, CO Hays, KS
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 16,995 12,949
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #990 #862
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu fhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
Tuition (In State) $8,445 $4,140
Tuition (Out of State) $26,277 $14,580
Room & Board $12,411 $8,481
Avg Net Price $14,805 $13,322
Avg Grant Aid $5,930 $5,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,163 1,828
Admitted 9,951 1,609
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 88%
Enrolled % 19.2% 51.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.03 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1130 940/1190
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
Graduation Rate 21% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,718
Median Loan Payment $250 $214

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
% Men 43% 38%
% Women 57% 62%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 57%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 22% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 29%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver Fort Hays State University
% In-State 97% 80%
% Out-of-State 3% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than Fort Hays State University based on total student enrollment (16,995 students vs. 12,949 students)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Fort Hays State University?

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is 104% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($8,445.00 vs. $4,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.2% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Fort Hays State University ($26,277.00 vs. $14,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than Metropolitan State College of Denver ($13,322 vs. $14,805)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 46.3% lower than costs at Metropolitan State College of Denver ($8,481 vs. $12,411)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State College of Denver students is 10.1% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($5,930 vs. $5,387)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (3.03)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Fort Hays State University (88%)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Fort Hays State University? 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 Fort Hays State University and Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Fort Hays State University is higher than Metropolitan State College of Denver (40% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State College of Denver earn on average $1,200 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $41,400)
  • Fort Hays State University students graduate with a $3,532 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($20,718 vs. $24,250)
  • Fort Hays State University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($214 vs. $250)
  • More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State College of Denver students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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