Adrian College vs. Ferris State University

Deciding between Adrian College and Ferris State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Adrian College
Ferris State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Adrian College Adrian, MI
  • Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
  • Setting
  • Adrian College Distant Town
  • Ferris State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Adrian College 1,765
  • Ferris State University 9,959
  • Type
  • Adrian College Private 4 Year
  • Ferris State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Adrian College #800
  • Ferris State University #771
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Adrian College United Methodist
  • Ferris State University -
  • Status
  • Adrian College Non-profit
  • Ferris State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Adrian College
  • Ferris State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Adrian College $41,684
  • Ferris State University $14,778
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Adrian College $41,684
  • Ferris State University $14,778
  • Room & Board
  • Adrian College $20,260
  • Ferris State University $11,462
  • Average Net Price
  • Adrian College $25,922
  • Ferris State University $10,825
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Adrian College $29,966
  • Ferris State University $16,117
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Adrian College 99%
  • Ferris State University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Adrian College 2,486
  • Ferris State University 12,460
  • Admitted
  • Adrian College 1,803
  • Ferris State University 11,387
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Adrian College 72.5%
  • Ferris State University 91.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Adrian College 26.3%
  • Ferris State University 14.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Adrian College 1010
  • Ferris State University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Adrian College 24
  • Ferris State University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Adrian College 3.2
  • Ferris State University 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Adrian College B+
  • Ferris State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Adrian College Easy
  • Ferris State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Adrian College Low
  • Ferris State University
  • ACT Range
  • Adrian College 21/27
  • Ferris State University 20/24
  • SAT Range
  • Adrian College 873/1140
  • Ferris State University 890/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Adrian College Test optional
  • Ferris State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Adrian College Aug 1, 2027
  • Ferris State University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Adrian College 16:1
  • Ferris State University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Adrian College
    • Business (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Ferris State University
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Engineering Technology (15%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Adrian College 49%
  • Ferris State University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Adrian College $39,900
  • Ferris State University $47,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Adrian College 63%
  • Ferris State University 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Adrian College $27,000
  • Ferris State University $24,179
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Adrian College $279
  • Ferris State University $250
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Adrian College 56%
  • Ferris State University 44%
  • % Women
  • Adrian College 44%
  • Ferris State University 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Adrian College Low
  • Ferris State University Low
  • HBCU
  • Adrian College No
  • Ferris State University No
  • % White
  • Adrian College 72%
  • Ferris State University 79%
  • % Asian
  • Adrian College 0%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • % Black
  • Adrian College 9%
  • Ferris State University 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Adrian College 5%
  • Ferris State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Adrian College 0%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Adrian College 0%
  • Ferris State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Adrian College 4%
  • Ferris State University 3%
  • % International
  • Adrian College 0%
  • Ferris State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Adrian College 9%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Adrian College 71%
  • Ferris State University 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Adrian College 24%
  • Ferris State University 6%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Adrian College Yes
  • Ferris State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Adrian College No
  • Ferris State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Adrian College Yes
  • Ferris State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Adrian College No
  • Ferris State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Adrian College No
  • Ferris State University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Adrian College in Adrian, MI with Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferris State University is larger than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (9,959 students vs. 1,765 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Adrian College is located in Adrian, MI (Distant Town setting); Ferris State University is in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting).
  • Adrian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Adrian College 16:1; Ferris State University 15:1.

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adrian College or Ferris State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Adrian College ($10,825 vs. $25,922).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 43.4% lower than at Adrian College ($11,462 vs. $20,260).
  • Adrian College is 182.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferris State University (about $26,906 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $14,778.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 182.1% higher at Adrian College than at Ferris State University (about $26,906 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $14,778.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Adrian College as at Ferris State University (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 85.9% larger than aid received by Ferris State University students ($29,966 vs. $16,117).

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adrian College or Ferris State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ferris State University and Adrian College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Adrian College (1010) is the same as at Ferris State University (1010).
  • Incoming Adrian College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Ferris State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Adrian College 873/1140; Ferris State University 890/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Adrian College 21/27; Ferris State University 20/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Adrian College - Test optional; Ferris State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Adrian College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Adrian College (3.2).
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than Adrian College (72.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.3% at Adrian College vs. 14.7% at Ferris State University.

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Adrian College and Ferris State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Adrian College's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Ferris State University's (45%).
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Adrian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have a $2,821 lower median loan debt than Adrian College graduates ($24,179 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Adrian College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.