Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Big Rapids , MI
Ferris State University is a public research institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. Established in 1884, it offers a wide range of academic programs through its various colleges and schools. With a mission to provide career-oriented education, Ferris State has built a strong reputation for its emphasis on practical experience and industry partnerships.
One of the notable features of Ferris State University is its diverse range of programs, spanning areas such as business, engineering, health professions, education, and arts and sciences. It offers over 190 undergraduate and graduate programs, giving students a wide array of options to choose from. The university also prides itself on its strong connection to the industry, providing students with internships, cooperative education, and hands-on learning experiences, ultimately preparing them for the job market.
Ferris State University also boasts a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities. The universityÆs commitment to student success is evident through the various support services offered, including academic advising, career counseling, tutoring, and wellness programs. Additionally, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, such as modern classrooms, research labs, recreational centers, and housing options, enhancing their overall college experience. With its commitment to experiential learning and holistic student support, Ferris State University provides a comprehensive educational environment focused on preparing students for their future careers.
Located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at Ferris State University is 78% and the six-year graduation rate is 56%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
Read more about what Ferris State University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
8,989
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
56%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most essential data you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Ferris State University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 11,402 in 2025. Ferris State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
65% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 1% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 1.46% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 11.02% between 1,200 and 1,399, 41.26% between 1,000 and 1,199, 37.89% between 800 and 999, and 8.37% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 13.64, 22.73 between 24-29, 54.55 in the range between 18-23, and 9.09 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 23 and the average GPA was 3.3. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 518 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 497.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Ferris State University was 78% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 56%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Ferris State University in 2025 was 9,959.
That year, the institution had 6% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 8,989 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 94 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 724.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,285 male and 3,966 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Ferris State University.
This school had 136 Asian students and 840 Afro-American students in 2025. 578 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 218 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 70 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 273 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Ferris State University.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Ferris State University? Here is what you need to know.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $15,000. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $15,000. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $25,650. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $196 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $15,000 | $196 | $15,196 |
| In-State | $15,000 | $196 | $15,196 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to set aside about $890 for books and supplies during their time at Ferris State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Ferris State University was $11,462 per academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 15,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,462 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 890 |
| Total Expense | $ 27,352 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Ferris State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 1,258 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $17,730.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 4,106 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Ferris State University is available to international students. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Ferris State University isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 4,563. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $23,267,900, and state $11,118,000.
$5,030
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
3,886 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 1,254 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $23,267,900 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $1,618,500. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $20,983,800. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,108,700 USD.
Majors
Faculty
None:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 606. This number included 319 men and 287 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Ferris State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at Ferris State University.
Its campus is 935 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 204 open-membership organizations at Ferris State University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 6 percent of male and 4 of female students participate in different organizations at Ferris State University. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Kapp Psy Pharmacy, followed by Esports Club and Information Security & Intelligence Alliance. Other popular student organizations at this school are Associate of Construction Studies and Student Nurses Association.
If drama is your thing, there is a club dedicated to acting that you can join. You have a passion for media and communication? Ferris State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Ferris State University offers a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Ferris State University.
All in all, campus life at Ferris State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Ferris State University.
Career Counselling
At Ferris State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
-
Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI.
-
Ferris State University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Ferris State University is 91%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Ferris State University is 78%.
Contact Information
Ferris State University
1201 S. State Street, CSS 313
Big Rapids , MI
49307
231 591-2799
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.