Ferris State University vs. USD

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

 Ferris State University USD
Location Big Rapids, MI Vermillion, SD
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 10,072 9,856
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #597
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu usd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Ferris State University USD
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $11,283
Room & Board $10,268 $8,224
Avg Net Price $13,978 $18,378
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $6,308
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 79%

Admission

 Ferris State University USD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 4,480
Admitted 10,746 4,456
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 99.5%
Enrolled % 16.2% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 19/25
SAT Range 910/1150 1020/1300
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 USD
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 Ferris State University USD
Graduation Rate 45% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

 Ferris State University USD
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 85%
% Black 8% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 Ferris State University USD
% In-State 92% 54%
% Out-of-State 6% 43%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than USD based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 9,856 students)

Ferris State University vs. USD Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 68.2% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.9% higher at Ferris State University than University of South Dakota ($13,076.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than USD ($13,978 vs. $18,378)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 24.9% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($8,224 vs. $10,268)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than University of South Dakota (94% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 76.4% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($11,128 vs. $6,308)

Ferris State University vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Dakota (1049) is 40 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming USD students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • USD has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at USD is higher than Ferris State University (47% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from University of South Dakota earn on average $1,200 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $47,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $821 lower median federal student loan debt than USD graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than USD graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

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