
600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601-4099, USA


Fort Hays State University provides a diverse range of athletic programs, competing primarily in NCAA Division II as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The university supports 14 varsity sports, including traditional options such as basketball, football, and baseball, along with women's volleyball, softball, and cross country. This variety allows students to engage in competitive athletics across multiple disciplines.
Beyond the competitive arena, the university offers facilities and support for student-athletes to balance their academic and athletic commitments effectively. These resources aim to foster a well-rounded collegiate experience while promoting physical fitness and team spirit. Participation in Fort Hays State athletics also provides opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement within the university and the broader region.
Fort Hays State University offers a range of student groups and associations that enrich campus life and provide opportunities for involvement. Among these are Students for Life, Honors Society, Panhellenic Council, Residents Hall Association, and Catholic Disciples. These organizations cater to diverse interests, from academic excellence and leadership to residential community engagement and faith-based activities.
Fort Hays State University hosts a diverse student population with notable distinctions in residency and enrollment status. The majority of students are in-state residents, comprising 84% of the student body, which positions the university in the top 30% nationally for this demographic. Out-of-state students make up a smaller portion, just 16%, reflecting a below-average representation compared to other institutions.
Transfer students represent a significant group at the university, with 1,655 transfers enrolled-placing Fort Hays State University in the top 10% nationwide for transfer student numbers. In contrast, first-time freshmen enrollment totals 886, sitting around the national median.
The university's student body displays a broad age range. While traditional college-age students dominate, with over 2,190 undergraduates aged 18 to 19 and 3,457 aged 20 to 21, there is also a substantial number of older students. This includes more than 2,300 students aged 22 to 24 and 1,261 between 25 and 29. Graduate students follow a similar distribution, peaking between ages 22 and 49, indicating opportunities for adult learners and non-traditional students.
Ethnic diversity at Fort Hays State University is varied but leans toward a predominantly White population, which accounts for 4,777 students-placing it in the top 30% nationally. Hispanic and African American students form moderate representations with 557 and 249 students respectively, both near the national average. Other groups such as Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and students identifying with two or more races each contribute smaller but measurable shares. A notably large category is the group of students with unknown ethnicity, totaling 3,589 individuals, ranking the university in the top 5% for this classification.
International students are considerably underrepresented, with only 16 coming from outside the United States, reflecting a very low level relative to national patterns. This highlights the university's primarily domestic focus in enrollment demographics.
Fort Hays State University offers a dynamic campus environment featuring a range of extracurricular activities that contribute to student engagement. The university supports artistic expression through its drama programs, campus band, and chorus, as well as providing opportunities to participate in campus television productions. Students can also stay informed and involved via the campus newspaper. Health services are accessible with an on-campus clinic available to assist students with their medical needs.
Student-athletes compete under the NCAA banner, indicating a presence of NCAA-sanctioned sports programs. The university maintains a moderate student-faculty ratio of 14: 1, which suggests reasonable access to faculty support and resources. The total enrollment is sizable, with over 12,800 students, reflecting a diverse and active student body.
Fort Hays State University offers access to one main library, the Forsyth Library. The university's library resources are modest in comparison to other institutions, with total holdings placing it in the lower half nationally. Specifically, the university has a collection of approximately 237,266 books and around 10,868 subscriptions, which both rank below average. Digital resources include nearly 120,000 digital subscriptions and about 779,000 ebooks, positioning the university slightly higher within the mid-range for digital content.
The Forsyth Library supports students with a range of physical facilities, digital access options, established operating hours, trained staff, and access to shared collections, ensuring a foundational level of library services despite the limited number of libraries on campus.
Total enrollment
12843Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
826Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
867 full time, 468 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
Forsyth LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes