Ferris State University vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Ferris State University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State University or Michigan State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Ferris State University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Ferris State University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Ferris State University Michigan State University
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Overview

Ferris State University Michigan State
Location Big Rapids, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 10,072 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $41,778
Room & Board $10,268 $10,990
Avg Net Price $13,978 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

Ferris State University Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 53,341
Admitted 10,746 46,914
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 88%
Enrolled % 16.2% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 25/31
SAT Range 910/1150 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Ferris State University Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Michigan State
Graduation Rate 45% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $250 $263

Diversity

Ferris State University Michigan State
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 67%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 13%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University Michigan State
% In-State 92% 71%
% Out-of-State 6% 21%

Campus

Ferris State University Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 16.2% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 219.5% higher at Michigan State than Ferris State University ($41,778.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Michigan State ($13,978 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 7% lower than costs at Michigan State University ($10,268 vs. $10,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Michigan State University (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 28.1% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($11,128 vs. $8,684)

Ferris State University vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or Ferris State University .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 150 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or Michigan State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Michigan State and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Ferris State University (77% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $13,000 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $47,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $1,305 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,484)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($250 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/