The University
Fort Hays State University has four colleges — Arts and Sciences, Education and Technology, Business and Leadership, and Health and Life Sciences — and a Graduate School. It also has a Virtual College that delivers courses electronically throughout Kansas and beyond. Students at FHSU may select a major field of study from 30 departments and study in an electronic environment throughout the campus. Students can obtain associate degrees in office technology and radiologic technology; do their preprofessional study at FHSU then transfer to a medical or law school; obtain bachelor's and master's degrees; and in some areas of the curriculum, can earn specialist's degrees.

The university is fully accredited by several national agencies. We invite that type of inspection to prove that we are providing our students the kind of education that we promise them. FHSU is one of six state-assisted institutions of higher education and is governed by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor of the state of Kansas.

History
Fort Hays State University was established in 1902 on the grounds of the abandoned Fort Hays military post southwest of Hays. The university served the early settlers' needs for educational facilities in the new region. The first building nearer the city was completed in 1904 and the university moved to its present location.

The Campus
The main campus sits on 200 of the 4,160 acres owned by the state and deeded to the university. The campus proper includes more than 40 limestone-faced buildings which complement a peaceful academic atmosphere. Big Creek, a winding stream that traverses the campus, provides a tranquil learning atmosphere and serves as a natural laboratory for students in the biological sciences. Our campus often has been called the prettiest in Kansas.

Our Students
Our enrollment is more than 9,000 students who come from at least 37 states and 30 foreign countries. However, the majority of our students are from Kansas.

Our Faculty
We have a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many scholars and specialists are among the more than 300 faculty members at FHSU who couple superb teaching with a warm and caring attitude toward their students. More than half of the faculty have the doctorate or terminal degree in their disciplines and full professors regularly volunteer to teach freshman level classes. Faculty not only work hard at good teaching but also write books, present papers at professional meetings and are involved in research.

Academic Calendar
Fort Hays State University operates on a two-semester academic calendar, late August through mid-December, and mid-January through mid-May. There is also a June-July summer term.

Economic Impact
Fort Hays State University makes a tremendous impact on northwest Kansas, Ellis County and especially on the city of Hays. The direct impact figure, which includes student, faculty, staff and visitor expenditures, and other expenditures, is nearly $69 million. Couple that with an indirect impact figure, which includes money generated by business establishments who purchase additional goods and services from other local sources, and you have a university with an economic impact on the local economy of approximately $124 million yearly.

Hays
A town on the Union Pacific Railroad, Hays is located about halfway between Denver and Kansas City on Interstate 70. A progressive city of approximately 20,000 people, Hays is the largest city in the northwest quadrant of Kansas and is the medical, cultural, educational and industrial center for all of northwest Kansas. Hays is easily accessible by car, bus or airplane. It was recognized as an All-America city in 1996.

Driving Directions to our Campus
- Coming from 183 South, turn left at 8th Street and go straight (west) to the FHSU campus
- Coming from 183 North, (option 1) turn right at 27th Street, take 27th St. to Hall St., turn south (left) and go to the FHSU campus
- Coming from 183 North, (option 2) Take Vine St. south to 8th St., turn right and go straight (west) to the FHSU campus.
- Coming from Interstate 70 East or West, turn south at US 183 Bypass (exit 157) and go straight to the FHSU campus.