Fort Hays State University vs. SWOSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than SWOSU based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 5,186 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); Southwestern Oklahoma State University is in Weatherford, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; Southwestern Oklahoma State University 19:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or SWOSU? 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 SWOSU ($13,186 vs. $14,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 16.3% lower than at Fort Hays State University ($7,634 vs. $9,120).
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University is 43% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,546 more per year; $8,469.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at Fort Hays State University than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $9,242 more per year; $17,741.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (92% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($8,906 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. SWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at SWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Southwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; SWOSU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman SWOSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45).

Fort Hays State University vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $5,031 lower median loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates ($15,687 vs. $20,718).
• Among borrowers, SWOSU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Hays State University graduates ($162 vs. $214).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWOSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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.