About Ferris State University

Founded in 1884, Ferris State University. is a Public college. Located in Michigan, which is a city setting in Michigan, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 12,866 full time undergraduate students, and 1,321 full time graduate students.

The Ferris State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 16:1. There are 585 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Ferris State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate77%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range910-1180
ACT Range19-25

Admissions at FSU are considered Less Selective, with ,75% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 17 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Ferris State University.

12%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
48%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
30%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
36%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
11%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
18%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
20%
“It”s not really our thing”
26%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
31%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
23%
“We”re a very artistic group”
5%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
14%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
59%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
9%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
26%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
39%
“We only party on weekends”
26%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
12%
“We”re apathetic”
32%
“We know about current events and vote”
48%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
30%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
36%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
11%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
18%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
20%
“It”s not really our thing”
26%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
31%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
23%
“We”re a very artistic group”
5%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
14%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
59%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
9%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
26%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
39%
“We only party on weekends”
26%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Ferris State University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    211 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    196 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    235 Students rated campus food 3.5 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    272 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    271 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    272 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    272 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    271 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Ferris State University?

82 Students rated Ferris State University

russell - 12/31/2023

Ferris Is all about opportunities if you don't show on your best day then ferris won't be for you

Avery - 12/22/2023

Ferris is a wonderful place to study and learn as well as develop skills and fundamental social skills and growth. Ferris is an open and growing community where everyone is welcoming and sweet. You meet friends, communities, and families by being a Ferris bulldog.

Isabel - 09/27/2022

I absolutely love Ferris State. I always wanted to go to a university where I got the college experience, but also was invested in my studies, and I feel that I have a great balance here. I find myself still going to the dining halls as a junior, I am frequently at the library, and I work on campus as well! The environment is great, you can find laidback environments, but also louder ones. Ferris is a great school for any type of person, and you are sure to find a great group here.

Andrew - 07/21/2022

My opinion about Ferris is a very positive one. Not only is the school filled with a very welcoming student and faculty population, but the community is a very welcoming one. Everyone is very welcoming and accepting and it is very easy to find your place right on campus.

Ferris State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Ferris State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Ferris State University is 77%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell students to look at the programs offered at the schools, and also what the school is known for. You wouldn't go to a school that is known for pharmacy if you wanted to go into teaching. Also, look at the location. Do you want to be hours away from home, or be able to come home every weekend? I'd also look at price and ask other people who already go to that school how they like it. Take a tour of campus and get informed about things your interested in like clubs, sports, and an other activities. These are all key factors in picking your perfect college experience.

    Read all  293 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    No campus

    Read all  63 answers
  4. What's unique about your campus?

    The size of Ferris State would have to be the best and most beneficial thing to me. The largest class that I have is about 100 people, the rest are between 15-25 people which makes it much easier to get to know your professors on a more personal level and it is also less distracting in class when there are fewer people. Being able to create a relationship with professors allows us refrences for later when we are looking for jobs. It also makes it easier to get to meet new people.

    Read all  60 answers
  5. Describe the students at your school.

    Tight

    Read all  58 answers
  6. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Ferris being such a small campus makes it easy to meet many new friends and participate in the community. I think Ferris is good for someone who is nervous to go away to college because it is so small that it feels like home. You also get a lot of one on one attention with teachers since most classes are about the size of a high school class. I think someone who struggles with school would do well at Ferris due to the close attention and the many free on campus tutors.

    Read all  54 answers
  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    artistic- it is kendall college of art adn design not ferris st.

    Read all  52 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The thing that I found most unique about Ferris State University is that they have a consortium agreement with most community colleges, which helped with the cost of my college expenses incredibly. I was able to take most of my classes through a local community college and then am able to finish my degree off at Ferris State with only having to attend Ferris State for one year. They also have satellite campuses around Michigan that make it easier to attend classes in my area.

    Read all  51 answers
  9. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Kendall College of Art and Design has the community and support that I need to achieve my goals.

    Read all  51 answers
  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The social activities that I thought where fun and anything cool I am doing in my classes.

    Read all  50 answers
  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Every one gave the don' t party and stay involved speech but the most imprtant thing was never mentioned, time management. To be successful in college you must learn to manage your time otherwise you will not be able to handle having classes and being involved while getting homework done and studying. Time management will keep you from feeling as if college life is too much for you. It will alow you to have fun wile taking care of business. Time management is the one thing I wish I would have learned before going to college.

    Read all  44 answers
  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Ferris is known as a party school. It is also known as a Pharmacy/Optometry school. Its a small campus in the middle of no where. Big Rapids wouldn't exist if Ferris wasn't here.

    Read all  42 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about Ferris State University is some teacher's attendance policy. For some professors, you are only allowed a maximum of three absences. If you exceed this number, you grade will be effected. It bothers me that the only way your absence will be excused is if it is school related. If you are hospitalized or in a bad accident and miss class, it does not count as excused. Although this policy is not the same for every professor, some do make these rules.

    Read all  30 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    My favorite class right now in my second semester of my first school year is Printmaking. Because in my case, I am looking for a multidisciplinary art career and Printmaking is one of those art disciplines that are multidisciplinary through art history, history in general and the fine arts. I do not have a least favorite class for now, I like all of them. Since art career always provoques community movement, competency and diversity between all students, participation is never odd. I have a Drawing major, it has been always my technical foundation of my way of working in many art disciplines and Printmaking is one of them, including Ceramics. Since I graduated from my Art High School in PR, I graduated with The Drawing Specialty Award ''Premio Magno de Dibujo" of the art school. I always try to separate some time to go to art meetings with professional artists including my professors.

    Read all  2 answers
  15. Tell us about the food and dining options.

    There are 2 main cafe on campus, the Rock and right now westside. The Rock is awesome, great food and with the remodel of the campus center the new cafeteria will be awesome. There is also a starbucks, and a few other places you can get a sandwich, ect.

    Read all  1 answers
  16. Tell us about your professors.

    I honestly haven't had a bad professor. They are all pretty great, I'm in arts and sciences. Helpful, class is enjoyable. Ferris has well educated and interesting prof.

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Greek, Honor Clubs, Sports, there's something for everyone.

    Read all  1 answers
  18. What do students complain about most?

    Parking

    Read all  1 answers
  19. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    It's full of opportunities and great access to challenge myself for a better way to grow academically and artistically. The best thing about this school are the resources and spaces of interaction with artists, even teachers that are active artists right now and never stop inspiring art students to get involved in the art world. This school is small in structure and in community, which is just right because it has an extraordinary quality of community and dedication. Every time I tell people about my school they get fascinated and curious and they want to know more about the school after they see my work and after I share my experiences in this school. Most students complain about money and job opportunities to afford for their tuitions, art materials, housing and food.

    Read all  1 answers
  20. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    Because it was the close to home and it offered a History program.

    Read all  1 answers
  21. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    I honestly don't know.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

53%

female

47%

male

12,866

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,321

Total Grad Students

6%

Out-Of-State

92%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

200

Student Organizations

11

Fraternities

7

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

28%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
79%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

95% of students attending Ferris State University receive some sort of financial aid. 47% were awarded federal grants. While 71% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$17,910

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$914

Books and Supplies

$9,652

Room and Board

28,476

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,652
$30 - $48K
$11,040
$48 - $75K
$14,738
$75 - $110K
$17,178
$110K & UP
$18,664

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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