Head-to-head · 2026
Allen County Community College vs Fort Hays State University
Compare average net price ($8,642 at Allen County Community College; $12,569 at Fort Hays State University), ROI score (11.59 vs 9.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,059 vs $48,928), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Allen County Community College; 90.3% at Fort Hays State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Allen County Community College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.59 ✓ | 9.73 |
| Avg net price | $8,642 ✓ | $12,569 |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,568 ✓ | $50,276 |
| In-state tuition | $4,260 | $5,923 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,860 | $17,741 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,059 | $48,928 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 90.3% |
| Graduation rate | 37.4% | 47.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 54.7% | 76.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,954 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 810 | 9,733 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1089 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Allen County Community College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,454 | $7,661 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,888 | $9,776 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,024 | $11,941 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $14,266 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $16,641 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Allen County Community College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 63.6% | 5.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.3% | 25.2% |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 3.2% | 0.2% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.3% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Allen County Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,927 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,708 difference over four years ($34,568 vs $50,276).
Fort Hays State University reports $8,869 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,928 vs $40,059). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 54.7% at Allen County Community College and 76.9% at Fort Hays State University. Median federal debt among completers is $6,954 vs $21,000, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Allen County Community College vs Fort Hays State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Allen County Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,642 per year vs $12,569 at Fort Hays State University. The annual difference of $3,927 adds up to about $15,708 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Fort Hays State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,928 vs $40,059 at Allen County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $8,869. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.