Fort Hays State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Fort Hays State University charges a net price of $12,569/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $50,276. Graduates earn a median $48,928 ten years after entry, $568/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 88.5 years — a 20-year net return of -$38,916, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Fort Hays State University's 88.5-year payback ranks #1,228 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 4% of them, and #23 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,569/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $50,276 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,928 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $568/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 88.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$38,916 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Fort Hays State University's own numbers. Net price $12,569 × 4 years = $50,276 total. Median earnings $48,928 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $568 a year of premium. $50,276 ÷ $568 = 88.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$38,916. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Fort Hays State University students graduate with?
A median $21,000 in federal loans among completers, or 43% of the $48,928 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Fort Hays State University students graduate?
48% finish their degree — 52% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $50,276 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,742 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Fort Hays State University expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $12,569 net price runs $2,711 below the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, and $10,844 less across the full degree.