Head-to-head · 2026
Donnelly College vs Fort Hays State University
Compare average net price ($11,476 at Donnelly College; $12,569 at Fort Hays State University), ROI score (7.78 vs 9.73), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,715 vs $48,928), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Donnelly 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 | Donnelly College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.78 | 9.73 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,476 ✓ | $12,569 |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,904 ✓ | $50,276 |
| In-state tuition | $10,440 | $5,923 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,440 | $17,741 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,715 | $48,928 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 90.3% |
| Graduation rate | 45.8% | 47.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 57.9% | 76.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,842 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 395 | 9,733 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | 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 | Donnelly College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,542 | $7,661 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,463 | $9,776 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,484 | $11,941 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,907 ✓ | $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 | Donnelly College | Fort Hays State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.8% | 5.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.2% | 25.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 5.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Donnelly College reports the lower average net price by $1,093 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,372 difference over four years ($45,904 vs $50,276).
Fort Hays State University reports $13,213 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,928 vs $35,715). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 57.9% at Donnelly College and 76.9% at Fort Hays State University. Median federal debt among completers is $11,842 vs $21,000, respectively.
3 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.
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Frequently asked
Donnelly 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?
Donnelly College is cheaper — average net price $11,476 per year vs $12,569 at Fort Hays State University. The annual difference of $1,093 adds up to about $4,372 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 $35,715 at Donnelly College. The gap in the federal data is $13,213. 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.