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Ferris State University
Ferris State University admits nearly everyone — 91.4% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Ferris State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Ferris State University anchors the college town of Big Rapids, MI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, where graduates median $118,364 four years out. Faculty pay averages $129,024 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 8,106 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 77.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 890 and 1120 — below the MI middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Ferris State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 890–1120 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Ferris State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 450 | 500 | 570 |
| SAT Math | 440 | 500 | 550 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 20 | 26 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Ferris State University received 9,548 applications and admitted 7,694 (80.6%), with 1,595 enrolling.
How Ferris State University compares
| Ferris State University | Michigan median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 91.4% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $14,778 | $24,944 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $54,735 | $54,739 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Ferris State University's median earnings are $54,735 — below the Michigan benchmark of $54,739. Weigh that against the $14,778 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Ferris State University prices by residency: $14,778 in-state versus $14,778 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Ferris State University enrolls 8,106 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Ferris State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
46.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 53% don't — ask a Ferris State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Ferris State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $118,364 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $91,993 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $91,678 |
| Construction Management | $90,504 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $88,670 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $86,348 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $85,131 |
| Surveying Engineering | $84,958 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | $83,528 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $82,821 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,718 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $80,996 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $76,031 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,797 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $66,054 |
| Marketing | $66,023 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $64,703 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,131 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $63,582 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $62,718 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $61,884 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,325 |
| Biology, General | $56,878 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,774 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $54,837 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $54,031 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,742 |
| Social Work | $53,351 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,484 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,396 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $50,658 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $49,983 |
| Psychology, General | $49,596 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $48,367 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $47,823 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,053 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,052 |
| Graphic Communications | $44,116 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $43,507 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,165 |
Median earnings for these 40 Ferris State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $54,735 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 21 additional Ferris State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Ferris State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 890–1120 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 91.4% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Ferris State University's acceptance rate?
80.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 7,694 admitted from 9,548 applicants.
How much does Ferris State University cost?
In-state tuition is $14,778; out-of-state students pay $14,778. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Ferris State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $54,735 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Michigan
- Grace Christian University — 99.2% admitted
- Davenport University — 97.8% admitted
- College for Creative Studies — 91.9% admitted
- Central Michigan University — 89.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.