Welcome to Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University was founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School. The institution was originally located on the grounds of Fort Hays, a Nineteenth-Century frontier military outpost. The state of Kansas initially intended the university’s academic programs to focus on agriculture, but it opened as a “normal” or teacher’s college.
FHSU today is a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Our mission is to develop the engaged global citizen-leaders our world needs today.
Unmatched Affordability
The Fort Hays State University model is based on meeting the evolving educational needs of the modern student. On campus in Hays and worldwide through FHSU Online and our network of International Partnership campuses, we deliver affordable, flexible, and challenging academic programs that prepare our students for lives as engaged global citizen leaders.
FHSU offers a world-class higher education experience at an unbeatable price. Across-the-board, FHSU offers the best bang for your educational dollar. View our current tuition and fees to see how affordable a quality education could be for you!
QuickFacts
- FHSU President: Tisa Mason
- Founded: 1902
- Campus: 200 acres
- University Farm: 3,825 acres
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Mascot: Victor E. Tiger
Academic Year 2026 - Fall 2025
- Athletics: NCAA Division II, Mid-America Intercollegiate, Athletics Association (MIAA)
- Registration: 12,849
- On-Campus Headcount: 3,908
- Online Headcount: 8,195
- International Partnership Program Headcount: 4,418
- Kansans Served by FHSU: 8,882
- Hispanic Registration: 992
- Graduates: 2713 (Summer 25, Fall 25, Spring 26)
- Undergraduate Career Rate: 98%
Retention and Graduation
- Fall-to-Fall Retention 2025 – 2026: 77.12%
- Six-Year Graduation Rates 2018 Cohort: 48.2%
Our Home in Hays, Kansas
Hays is located on the great plains of the American Midwest. Ours is a safe and friendly college town that offers great food, fun activities, live music and theatre performances, art exhibits, and cultural festivals.
