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Is Fort Hays State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Fort Hays State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Fort Hays State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $48,928 helps, but median debt of $21,000 plus yearly net price of $12,569 creates a tighter path. For context, Fort Hays State's net price is about 5% above the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,774
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $620 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $2,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,569
Median earnings 10 years out
$48,928
Median debt at graduation
$21,000
Graduation rate
48%
At Fort Hays State, a typical graduate carries about $21,000 in student debt and earns roughly $48,928 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $239 per month, or 6% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Fort Hays State is a public four year school in Hays, KS. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Wichita State
Wichita, KS
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $13,194
Public 4-year
Washburn
Topeka, KS
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $15,280
Public 4-year
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg, KS
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $15,784
Public 4-year
Emporia State
Emporia, KS
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $16,261
Public 4-year
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Worth-It Score: 73/100
Median net price: $18,059
Common questions about Fort Hays State
The median net price at Fort Hays State is $12,569 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Kansas? See the most affordable public universities in Kansas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →