CU Denver vs. Fort Hays State University

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

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
Location Denver, CO Hays, KS
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 23,409 12,843
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #391 #847
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu fhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
Tuition (In State) $9,096 $4,437
Tuition (Out of State) $27,288 $15,615
Room & Board $14,920 $8,772
Avg Net Price $15,303 $13,774
Avg Grant Aid $8,079 $6,338
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 85%

Admission

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,569 2,174
Admitted 11,336 1,995
Acceptance Rate 77.8% 91.8%
Enrolled % 14.4% 44.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 980/1220 970/1200
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 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
Graduation Rate 40% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $20,718
Median Loan Payment $219 $214

Diversity

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
% Men 14% 6%
% Women 26% 14%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 57%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 8% 29%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver Fort Hays State University
% In-State 85% 84%
% Out-of-State 13% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Fort Hays State University based on total student enrollment (23,409 students vs. 12,843 students)

CU Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Fort Hays State University?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 105% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($9,096.00 vs. $4,437.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.8% higher at CU Denver than Fort Hays State University ($27,288.00 vs. $15,615.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than CU Denver ($13,774 vs. $15,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 70.1% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($8,772 vs. $14,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than Fort Hays State University (86% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 27.5% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($8,079 vs. $6,338)

CU Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU 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 CU Denver .

  • Accepted freshman CU Denver 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 (91.8%) than CU Denver (77.8%)

CU Denver vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU 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 CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is the same as at Fort Hays State University (40% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $26,800 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $41,400)
  • Fort Hays State University students graduate with a $472 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($20,718 vs. $21,190)
  • Fort Hays State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than CU Denver graduates. ($214 vs. $219)
  • More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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