Is Fort Hays State University a Good School?

Diploma mills — non-traditional learners like working adults should avoid them at all costs!

On the other hand, it’s great that online degree programs accepted by employers are available at some learning institutions, including those that also offer traditional academic programs (the kinds that require students to attend college as we know it).

And Fort Hays State University is one of those.

Located in Hays, Kansas, it’s a public school that awards traditional and online degrees.

As a result, FHSU is an exceptional choice for people who like to further their education, from high school graduates who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree to professionals who intend to get additional educational credentials.

One of the Best, Including Online

As a traditional institution of higher education, FHSU is #109 in Regional Universities Midwest and #39 in Top Public Schools — both rankings are by US News.

The college ranking site also highly ranks its undergraduate nursing and psychology programs.

Meanwhile, as a college granting online degrees, Niche ranks it #21 in Best Online Colleges in America (out of 265 surveyed online schools) and #1 in Best Online Colleges in Kansas (out of six surveyed online schools).

Some of the Niche-ranked undergraduate programs FHSU offers are:

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Education
• Finance
• Psychology

Having recognition by some of the top college rankers is awesome!

Still, you should take college rankings with a grain of salt — consider adding a school to your college list because it has some of the things you are looking for and not because a website tells you it’s the best in its class.

Years of Experience in Traditional and Online Academics

Fort Hays State University has an acceptance rate of 90%.

However, I suggest you don’t risk it by not striving to get a good GPA — FHSU requires students to have a cumulative high school GPA of not less than 2.5.

Those whose GPAs are lower than that must instead have the minimum composite test scores:

• SAT: 1060
• ACT: 21

While it reviews applications holistically, admissions officers do not care about non-academic factors. The only things that they consider when deciding are the following:

• Academic rigor
• GPA
• Test scores (if submitted)
• Class rank

Traditional Programs for Traditional Students

Undergraduate students attending FHSU can choose from 86 majors.

Some of the most popular majors include:

• Business
• Operations Management
• Liberal Arts and Humanities
• Computer Programming
• Elementary Education
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Economics

You can apply undecided, which means having no major to commit to. Most students enrolled in an undergraduate program declare a major by the end of their sophomore year, anyway.

FHSU gives the following smart tips on choosing a major:

• Actively participate in your studies
• Take various courses — include something new per semester
• Learn as much as you can about professions you are interested in
• Consider your strengths and interests
• Meet with people who are “in the know”

Study-abroad programs are available for students who wish to expand their learning horizons.

Tiger Travel: it’s the name of these programs.

Some are as short as a few weeks during the summer break, while others are one semester long. Some opportunities last for a full academic year.

Tiger Travel allows students to study in countries such as:

• Austria
• Canada
• Italy
• Japan
• Peru
• Scotland

FHSU is NOT a Diploma Mill

Every online program available at FHSU is accredited.

The accreditor?

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

It’s one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. The US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also recognize it.

So, in other words, the online program you are interested in is legit, not a phony one from a diploma mill.

FHSU offers over 200 online programs, from certificates to master’s degrees.

Of those, 30+ are bachelor’s degrees such as:

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Business
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• General Studies
• Health Studies
• History
• International Business and Economics
• Management Information Systems
• Music
• Nursing
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Spanish
• Technology Leadership
• Tourism and Hospitality Management

Let’s answer a question someone who wants to earn an online degree may want to ask:

Is Online Education Right for Me?

Studying online suits you perfectly if going to a physical campus for the next four to six years of your life is unfeasible. That is why attending a college via the web is ideal for busy adults, such as professionals or parents.

Refrain from thinking that online learning is easier because it lets you study anywhere.

Numerous skills are a must for success, including the following:

• Self-discipline
• Motivation
• Technical know-how
• Independent learning
• Problem-solving

To determine whether or not you are likely to succeed academically as an online student, my best advice would be to take this quick 15-question quiz by FHSU itself.

Student Life on a Party Campus

FHSU’s 200-acre rural campus is home to more than 15,520 students — 82% are undergraduates.

For one year, first-year students must reside in one of the nine residence halls, where alcohol possession and consumption are prohibited, and pets are banned (except for fish in aquariums of 10 gallons or less).

The following exempts you from having to live on campus:

• Living with a parent or guardian within a 50-mile radius of FHSU
• Being 21 years or older
• Being married
• Being a custodial parent
• Taking less than nine credits per semester

The Memorial Union serves as the central hub of activities.

Everyone has a space in it, from students, faculty, and to alumni members. Some available services include internet, media spaces, meeting rooms, lounges, and food.

Hear the Tigers Roar

There are 18 varsity sports teams, and they’re known as the Tigers.

The Tigers compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, although they primarily participate in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

They have won eight national championship titles in basketball and cross country — four in each.

You can be far from being a student-athlete and still compete.

The FHSU Department of Campus Intramurals and Recreational Sports invites students to participate in various sports for socialization, friendship, fun, and fitness.

A Long Tradition of Greek Life

Fraternities and sororities have been a part of the FHSU tradition since the 1920s.

Currently, there are eight Greek-letter associations on campus (four frats and four sororities), and around 15% of all first-time, first-year students are members of those.

FHSU says that members usually have higher GPAs compared to the all-campus average. They also have the opportunity to make lasting friendships and obtain leadership opportunities that can prove to be valuable after college.

Oktoberfest: An Important Annual Celebration

Niche ranks Fort Hays State University #106 in Top Party Schools in America (out of 1,512 surveyed schools) and #4 in Top Party Schools in Kansas (out of 22 surveyed schools).

The majority of attendees agree that Oktoberfest is the biggest social event of the year.

Oktoberfest or not, some say that some students drink out of control, although you can always say no if you would much rather focus on your studies and earning your college degree on time.

There are also frat and sorority parties, but mostly on weekends only.