9/29/23

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan – Despite a continuing decline in Kansas’ rural population and the number of college-going students in our state - a number expected to reach 15 percent by 2029 -  enrollment at FHSU grew in several key areas. Fall enrollment at Kansas’ largest comprehensive regional public university was 12,843 students and includes students enrolled in on-campus, online, and international partner-hosted campus courses.

Specific areas of growth at FHSU this fall include:

1. New freshman (up 8 percent)
2. Students living on campus (up 6 percent)
3. Graduate student enrollment (up 4 percent)

“Recruiting and retaining students is definitely an ‘all-hands’ effort at Fort Hays State University,” said Dr. Dennis King, assistant vice president for enrollment leadership. “We are now in the fourth year of our five-year strategic plan, and we are seeing the plan’s focus on advancing academic excellence, student success, growth, infrastructure, and community and global engagement is delivering the results we targeted at the outset.”

The unmatched value of  the FHSU freshman experience

One clear indicator of a pending enrollment resurgence is the university’s enrollment of new freshmen. The increase in new freshmen signals that students and families recognize the distinct value of FHSU’s unique mix of affordability and institution-wide commitment to student success. Tuition and fees at FHSU are nearly half the national average and the lowest among all Kansas Board of Regents universities. Academic excellence, affordability, and extensive student support services combine to make FHSU the best value in higher education anywhere.

FHSU’s commitment to student success is evident in the strategic investments the university has made in the quality of the student experience. One example is the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success, which opened in 2021. The center unites student recruitment, academic advising, student engagement, and health and wellness services under one roof in the center of campus. The range of affordable new, revamped, and specialty residential living options the university opened over the past decade also contributed to the rise in new freshmen this fall.

FHSU Graduate School leads in enrollment growth

Recent investments in new program development was the driving force behind FHSU’s largest enrollment success this fall. The Graduate School serves the workforce needs of Kansas by delivering 21 high-demand on-campus and online programs, including degree programs in nursing, counseling, school psychology, and education.

Enrollment data reporting and FHSU’s affiliation partner tech colleges

In April of this year, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly officially signed House Bill 2290, authorizing the establishment of the affiliation between Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College. As this affiliation process moves forward, the three institutions will begin to integrate an array of student services operations, including enrollment management. The combined enrollment among the three institutions exceeded 14,500 students. 

For more information, contact FHSU Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason at 785.628.4208 or sacason@fhsu.edu.