Salem State University vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Salem State University or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem State University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Salem State University vs. Ferris State University comparison
Salem State University Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Salem State University Ferris State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Salem State University Ferris State University
Location Salem, MA Big Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,539 10,072
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #791
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $13,076
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $13,076
Room & Board $14,954 $10,268
Avg Net Price $19,277 $13,978
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $11,128
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Salem State University Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 12,228
Admitted 4,719 10,746
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 87.9%
Enrolled % 18.3% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 986/1210 910/1150
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 Jun 1, 2024

Academics

Salem State University Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 42% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $248 $250

Diversity

Salem State University Ferris State University
% Men 31% 45%
% Women 69% 55%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Salem State University Ferris State University
% In-State 90% 92%
% Out-of-State 8% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 1,336.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.5% higher at Ferris State University than Salem State University ($13,076.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Salem State University ($13,978 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 45.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($10,268 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Ferris State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 30% larger than aid received Salem State University ($11,128 vs. $8,562)

Salem State University vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University 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 Salem State University .

  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Salem State University vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University 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 Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Salem State University (45% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $179 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,179)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($248 vs. $250)
  • More Salem State University 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/