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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 school follows 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%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Ferris State University.
Quick Facts
8,989
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
56%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Learn some vital information about admission at Ferris State University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 11,402 in 2025. Ferris State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. 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
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 65% and ACT scores 1%. 1.46% of the first-year students 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% of the students 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 average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 23 while 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 518 and an average SAT Math score of 497.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Ferris State University was 78%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 56%.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right match for you is not simple. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Ferris State University in 2025 was 9,959.
That year, the school had 6% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 8,989, 94 of which were foreign students. 724 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,285 male and 3,966 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Ferris State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 136, and the number of Black American students was 840. 578 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 218 as multirace. 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
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on Ferris State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $14,420. Tuition fees were $14,420 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at Ferris State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $23,884. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $196.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $14,420 | $196 | $14,616 |
| In-State | $14,420 | $196 | $14,616 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $895.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Ferris State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,582.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 14,420 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,582 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 895 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,897 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Ferris State University.
According to the most recent data, 1,258 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $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 secured 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 overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 4,563. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $23,267,900, and state $11,118,000.
$5,030
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
3,886 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,254 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $23,267,900 while the state aid is $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. $4,108,700 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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.
According to the most recent information, there are 606 teachers at this school. This number included 319 male and 287 female faculty members.
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. Find out some details about social life at Ferris State University.
Its campus is 935 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 204. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. At this school, 6% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 4 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students 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.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students interested in media and communication, Ferris State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Ferris State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health 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 highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI.
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Ferris State University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Ferris State University is 91%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Ferris State University is 78%.
Contact Information
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.
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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.
