Fort Hays State University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Hays State University 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced ($13,186 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 57.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($9,120 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 163.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $9,700 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.8% higher at UC Merced than at Fort Hays State University (about $32,082 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at University of California Merced (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 304.3% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($27,292 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Fort Hays State University (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Fort Hays State University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $819 lower median loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates ($19,899 vs. $20,718).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Hays State University graduates ($205 vs. $214).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.