Ferris State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Ferris State University or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State University or NSU 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. Northern State University comparison
Ferris State University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Ferris State University
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Overview

 Ferris State University NSU
Location Big Rapids, MI Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 10,072 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Ferris State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $10,718
Room & Board $10,268 $9,150
Avg Net Price $13,978 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 91%

Admission

 Ferris State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 1,322
Admitted 10,746 1,033
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 78.1%
Enrolled % 16.2% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1150 800/1150
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 NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 Ferris State University NSU
Graduation Rate 45% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $250 $252

Diversity

 Ferris State University NSU
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 8% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 Ferris State University NSU
% In-State 92% 69%
% Out-of-State 6% 30%

Campus

 Ferris State University NSU
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

  • Ferris State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 3,344 students)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 71.7% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22% higher at Ferris State University than Northern State University ($13,076.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than NSU ($13,978 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 12.2% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($9,150 vs. $10,268)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Northern State University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 94.7% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,128 vs. $5,715)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 15 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than NSU (78.1%)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Northern State University (45% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $9,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $220 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $24,399)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($250 vs. $252)
  • More NSU 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/