Ferris State University vs. Grand Rapids Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 9,959 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); Grand Rapids Community College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; Grand Rapids Community College 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 19.5% lower than at Ferris State University ($9,227 vs. $11,462).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Ferris State University than at Grand Rapids Community College (about $2,559 more per year; $14,778 vs. $12,219).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferris State University than at Grand Rapids Community College (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 156.3% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($16,117 vs. $6,288).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Ferris State University, open admission at Grand Rapids Community College.
• Enrolled first-year students at Ferris State University average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Grand Rapids Community College (3.0).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $14,971 lower median loan debt than Ferris State University graduates ($9,208 vs. $24,179).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferris State University graduates ($95 vs. $250).
• More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 34%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.