Ferris State University vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferris State University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,959 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Ferris State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or UNK? 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 UNK ($10,825 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 6% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,462 vs. $12,198).
• Ferris State University is 70.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $6,102 more per year; $14,778.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at UNK than at Ferris State University (about $506 more per year; $15,284.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferris State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($16,117 vs. $9,776).

Ferris State University vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or UNK? 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 UNK and Ferris State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at Ferris State University (1010).
• Incoming Ferris State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNK (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 890/1120; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 20/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferris State University - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at UNK (3.24).
• Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Ferris State University vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Ferris State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferris State University and UNK? 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Ferris State University's (45%).
• Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $2,929 lower median loan debt than Ferris State University graduates ($21,250 vs. $24,179).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferris State University graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.