Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fort Hays State University

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

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
Location Magnolia, AR Hays, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,094 12,949
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #862
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu fhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $4,140
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $14,580
Room & Board $7,809 $8,481
Avg Net Price $14,056 $13,322
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $5,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 86%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 1,828
Admitted 1,855 1,609
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 88%
Enrolled % 38.1% 51.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/24
SAT Range 905/1190 940/1190
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
Graduation Rate 34% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $20,718
Median Loan Payment $175 $214

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
% Men 45% 38%
% Women 55% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 57%
% Black 28% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 29%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Fort Hays State University
% In-State 70% 80%
% Out-of-State 29% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fort Hays State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (12,949 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Fort Hays State University?

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 69.6% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $4,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.1% higher at Fort Hays State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($14,580.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,322 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 8.6% lower than costs at Fort Hays State University ($7,809 vs. $8,481)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Fort Hays State University (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 72.9% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($9,316 vs. $5,387)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45)
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Fort Hays State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($41,400 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,698 lower median federal student loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $20,718)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Fort Hays State University graduates. ($175 vs. $214)
  • More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

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