Western Illinois University vs. Ferris State University

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

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Western Illinois University vs. Ferris State University comparison
Western Illinois University Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Ferris State University
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Overview

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
Location Macomb, IL Big Rapids, MI
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,073 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #663 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $9,801 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $9,801 $13,524
Room & Board $10,920 $10,660
Avg Net Price $12,168 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $15,620 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 53% 97%

Admission

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,479 9,548
Admitted 6,356 7,694
Acceptance Rate 75% 80.6%
Enrolled % 15.2% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/26
SAT Range 880/1090 890/1120
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 53% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $255 $250

Diversity

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
% Men 12% 3%
% Women 17% 6%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 79%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Ferris State University
% In-State 90% 93%
% Out-of-State 8% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 7,073 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Ferris State University?

  • Ferris State University is 38% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at Ferris State University than Western Illinois University ($13,524.00 vs. $9,801.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Ferris State University ($12,168 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 2.4% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($10,660 vs. $10,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Western Illinois University (97% vs. 53%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 21.8% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($15,620 vs. $12,823)

Western Illinois University vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 39 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Ferris State University (53% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $46,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $525 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,179 vs. $24,704)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($250 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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