Admin v2 Preview — Sections marked with a yellow border use mock data until v2 scraping is complete.
v2 Admin
PublicTown

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan 49307-2251

Visit website

Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeRuralPublic

Known for business — excellent value

Ferris State University is a public institution in Big Rapids with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1001, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 8.1K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,735 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,202.

Established
1884
Motto
Ferris Forward
Mascot
Brutus the Bulldog
Type
Public university
Conference
NCAA Division I
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

81%Acceptance
1001SAT Avg
8,087Students
15:1Student:Faculty
48%Grad Rate
$54,735Earnings 10yr
$12,202Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Ferris State University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate80.6%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1001

Reading & WritingMid: 525
450570
MathMid: 515
440550

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1826

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

80.6%

Trend

SAT Avg

1001

Yield Rate

35.0%

Get access to view details →

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,630
Tuition (out-of-state)$13,630
Room & Board$10,660
Books & Supplies$862
Total Cost of Attendance$26,066
Average Net Price$12,202
Median Debt at Graduation$21,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$5,957
$30–48K$7,962
$48–75K$12,303
$75–110K$17,193
$110K+$19,308

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

53.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,500

Get access to view details →
Get access to view details →

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

52

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

11

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

6

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

16

Drug Arrests

12

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (182)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Negative
  • •73% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
8,087
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 74%
Black 9%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate47.9%
Freshman Retention72.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,339
10 Years$54,735

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#304
↑2
vs 2024
Forbes
#328
↓1
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#174
↑1
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Ice hockeyClub iceBasketball

History & Fun Facts

  • •By the beginning of the next semester in January 1885, the school changed its name to Ferris Industrial School.
  • •In January 1894, the school moved into and dedicated its new building, Old Main, on the corner of Oak and Ives Streets.
  • •In 1898, the institution was again renamed to Ferris Institute.
  • •In February 1943, alumnus Colin Smith introduced a bill in the legislature for the state to purchase Ferris Institute.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee132 mi
DTW Detroit148 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare171 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
New York, NY622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Hartford, CT663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Providence, RI724 mi · ~20h 55m drive
Albany, NY595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Syracuse, NY471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Rochester, NY397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Buffalo, NY337 mi · ~9h 44m drive
Philadelphia, PA590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Pittsburgh, PA360 mi · ~10h 24m drive
Harrisburg, PA500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
Newark, NJ613 mi · ~17h 43m drive
Washington, DC548 mi · ~15h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD550 mi · ~15h 53m drive
Atlanta, GA689 mi · ~19h 54m drive
Charlotte, NC635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Raleigh, NC656 mi · ~18h 57m drive
Miami, FL1274 mi · ~36h 48m drive
Orlando, FL1071 mi · ~30h 56m drive
Tampa, FL1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Nashville, TN524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
New Orleans, LA982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Richmond, VA598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Chicago, IL166 mi · ~4h 48m drive
Detroit, MI155 mi · ~4h 29m drive
Minneapolis, MN395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
St. Louis, MO427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Kansas City, MO568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Indianapolis, IN273 mi · ~7h 53m drive
Columbus, OH287 mi · ~8h 17m drive
Cleveland, OH245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Milwaukee, WI130 mi · ~3h 45m drive
Dallas, TX970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Houston, TX1105 mi · ~31h 55m drive
Austin, TX1145 mi · ~33h 5m drive
San Antonio, TX1219 mi · ~35h 13m drive
Los Angeles, CA1869 mi · ~54h drive
San Francisco, CA1960 mi · ~56h 37m drive
San Diego, CA1865 mi · ~53h 53m drive
Seattle, WA1783 mi · ~51h 31m drive
Portland, OR1818 mi · ~52h 31m drive
Denver, CO1040 mi · ~30h 3m drive
Phoenix, AZ1592 mi · ~45h 59m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1360 mi · ~39h 17m drive
Honolulu, HI4349 mi · ~125h 38m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Milwaukee (MKE)132 miles
Rental car
198 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
264 min$158-264
Detroit (DTW)148 miles
Rental car
222 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
296 min$178-296

Deadline Calendar

Get access to view details →

Ferris State University Application Checklist

Get access to view details →

Decision Notifications

Get access to view details →
Ferris State University — v2 Preview — TourStack