IPFW vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IPFW or Ferris State University 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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Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne vs. Ferris State University comparison
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne Ferris State University
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Overview

IPFW Ferris State University
Location Fort Wayne, IN Big Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 8,874 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #864 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ipfw.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IPFW Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $8,049 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $21,015 $13,524
Room & Board $10,332 $10,660
Avg Net Price $12,619 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $6,589 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

IPFW Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,466 9,548
Admitted 5,539 7,694
Acceptance Rate 85.7% 80.6%
Enrolled % 24.9% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/26
SAT Range 960/1190 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

IPFW Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

IPFW Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 26% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,600 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $253 $250

Diversity

IPFW Ferris State University
% Men 4% 3%
% Women 5% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

IPFW Ferris State University
% In-State 83% 93%
% Out-of-State 13% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than IPFW based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 8,874 students)

IPFW vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 68% more expensive to attend than IPFW for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $8,049.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.4% higher at IPFW than Ferris State University ($21,015.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne than Ferris State University ($12,619 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne are 3.2% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($10,332 vs. $10,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne than Ferris State University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 94.6% larger than aid received Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ($12,823 vs. $6,589)

IPFW vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 14 points higher than at IPFW (995)
  • Incoming IPFW students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman IPFW students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

IPFW vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (45% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $8,400 more per year than IPFW graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $38,600)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $321 lower median federal student loan debt than IPFW graduates. ($24,179 vs. $24,500)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than IPFW graduates. ($250 vs. $253)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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