NAU vs. Fort Hays State University

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Arizona University is larger than Fort Hays State University based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 12,878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); Fort Hays State University is in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; Fort Hays State University 15:1.

NAU vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or Fort Hays State University? 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 NAU ($13,186 vs. $16,371).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 36.8% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($9,120 vs. $14,432).
• Northern Arizona University is 119.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $7,086 more per year; $13,009.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.4% higher at NAU than at Fort Hays State University (about $12,140 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at Fort Hays State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 93.8% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($13,085 vs. $6,751).

NAU vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFort Hays State University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFort Hays State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; Fort Hays State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than NAU (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at NAU vs. 41.8% at Fort Hays State University.

NAU vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northern Arizona University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Arizona University graduates have a $718 lower median loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,718).
• Among borrowers, NAU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Hays State University graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NAU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.