Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Big Rapids, Michigan |
| Online | ferris.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Situated in Big Rapids, Michigan, approximately 60 miles north of Grand Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution spread across a 950-acre rural campus. Founded in 1884 as an industrial school, Ferris State has evolved into a comprehensive university while maintaining its historical emphasis on career-focused education and practical training. The university offers programs across multiple disciplines, with particular strengths in healthcare, pharmacy, optometry, business, and technical fields, including one of the few accredited professional golf management programs in the nation. Students typically reside in one of the 17 residence halls during their first two years, with apartment-style housing available for upperclassmen. As a Division II institution, Ferris State competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, with its men's ice hockey team competing in Division I.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Ferris State University is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Ferris State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#617 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#201 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#16 in Best Colleges in Michigan
#8 in Best Public Colleges in Michigan
#27 in Best Value Colleges in Michigan
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 890/1120 |
| ACT | 18/26 |
| GPA | 3.3 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $862 |
| Other Fees | $106 |
| Room and Board | $10,660 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,564 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,716 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 19% |
| Health Professions | 19% |
| Engineering Technology | 15% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Ferris State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=169910 IPEDS survey data for Ferris State University.
Current students may use the Ferris State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025