Ferris State University
#2 Best Business Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 47% D+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,735 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $8,624 B+
- 50% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 37.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $37.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $37.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,266,353.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $37.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.6%
- Top 42%
- Patents
- 102
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 72
- Downstream influence
Why Ferris State University Matters
Ferris State University is a public doctoral / professional university in Big Rapids, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 8,106
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Humanities
Why students choose Ferris State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 890–1120. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,624 a year after grants and scholarships — 50% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,735 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 39% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Ferris State University is a solid choice for students looking for a welcoming environment where they can explore diverse fields of study, including Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice. With an acceptance rate of 91%, it's particularly suited for those who may not have the highest test scores but are eager to learn and grow. The university hosts around 8,100 students, creating a community where individuals can connect with peers and faculty alike, fostering a supportive atmosphere.
After graduation, students from Ferris State University report earning an average salary of $54,735 within ten years. This figure reflects a pathway to economic stability, especially when considering the relatively affordable cost of attendance. The school's commitment to accessibility is evident, with a net price of $8,624 after aid, making it a feasible option for many. With a graduation rate of 47%, while some may find the journey challenging, those who persevere often find rewarding opportunities in their chosen fields.
Financially, students typically leave with a median debt of $21,000, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The affordability of Ferris State makes it an appealing option for a wide range of students, particularly those who value practical education and want to enter the workforce prepared. Here, individuals who thrive are often those motivated to engage with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources and community support.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Ferris State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ferris State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ferris State University, located in Big Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,012. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1012
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 890–1120
- ACT Range
- 20–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 71%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,752
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 12,228
- Admitted
- 10,746
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ferris State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ferris State University is $14,778, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,624. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,556 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,778
- Out-of-State
- $14,778
- Avg Net Price
- $8,624
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,556
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,315
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,638
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,603
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Ferris State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Ferris State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,735, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,339
- 8 Years
- $52,215
- 10 Years
- $54,735
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (248)
- 36%
- 100% (248)
- 36%
- 100% (248)
- 36%
- 100% (248)
- 36%
How Ferris Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Ferris State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Ferris State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,624/year ($34,496 total). Graduates earn $54,735 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,300,849 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,266,353 (37.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 47% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $34,496
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,300,849
- Net Return
- $1,266,353
- ROI Multiple
- 37.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,624
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Ferris State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ferris State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.70%, well above the typical college. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.70%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $112,089
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Ferris State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 102 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.55%
- Top 42% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 102
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 72
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.59%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,621,639
- Investment Income
- $-15,568,549
Top Programs
The fields Ferris State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $77,039 early-career
- Health Professions 16% $72,689 early-career
- Criminal Justice 7% $46,778 early-career
- Humanities 5% $33,059 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $40,621 early-career
- Education 4% $42,536 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $44,336 early-career
- Precision Production 3% $50,408 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Ferris State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ferris State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ferris State University, located in Big Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,012. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ferris State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ferris State University is $14,778, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,624. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,556 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is Ferris State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,735, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Ferris State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ferris State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.70%, well above the typical college. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Ferris State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ferris State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Ferris State University.
- California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · Close peer45% grad $57,162 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA · Close peer50% grad $59,009 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Close peer46% grad $54,659 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH · Close peer50% grad $52,131 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · Close peer47% grad $56,318 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Ferris State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ferris State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note