Ferris State University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Should I go to Ferris State University or University of Wisconsin Eau Claire? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State University or UW-Eau Claire 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire comparison
Ferris State University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire College 3 College 4
Ferris State University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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Overview

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
Location Big Rapids, MI Eau Claire, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 9,918 9,991
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #563
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu uwec.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
Tuition (In State) $13,524 $7,645
Tuition (Out of State) $13,524 $16,884
Room & Board $10,660 $9,200
Avg Net Price $13,154 $15,323
Avg Grant Aid $12,823 $3,800
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 60%

Admission

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,548 10,315
Admitted 7,694 7,848
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 76.1%
Enrolled % 20.7% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26 21/26
SAT Range 890/1120
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
Graduation Rate 45% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $47,900
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $250 $240

Diversity

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
% Men 3% 3%
% Women 6% 4%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 89%
% Black 8% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
% In-State 93% 67%
% Out-of-State 5% 32%

Campus

Ferris State University UW-Eau Claire
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

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (9,991 students vs. 9,918 students)

Ferris State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or UW-Eau Claire?

  • Ferris State University is 76.9% more expensive to attend than UW-Eau Claire for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $7,645.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.8% higher at UW-Eau Claire than Ferris State University ($16,884.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than UW-Eau Claire ($13,154 vs. $15,323)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 15.9% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($9,200 vs. $10,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (97% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 237.4% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($12,823 vs. $3,800)

Ferris State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (1110) is 101 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than UW-Eau Claire (76.1%)

Ferris State University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-Eau Claire is higher than Ferris State University (65% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn on average $900 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($47,900 vs. $47,000)
  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students graduate with a $929 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,179)
  • UW-Eau Claire graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($240 vs. $250)
  • More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 58%)

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