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Ferris State University

Ferris State University is a public university in a remote town with 8,940 students and a 91% acceptance rate.

Big Rapids, Michigan · Public · Town, remote · 8,940 students

Admission rate

91%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,012

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

18–26

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$8,624

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

47%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

73%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$54,735

10 years after entry

Students

8,940

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$2,556
$30,001–48,000$4,315
$48,001–75,000$7,638
$75,001–110,000$12,485
Over $110,000$18,603

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreFerris State University courseCredits
Calculus BC3MATH CALCBC 4 MATH 220
Biology3BIOL GEN 4 BIOL 103
Chemistry3CHEM GEN 4 CHEM 1-Z
English Language and Composition3ENGL LANG 3 ENGL 150
English Literature and Composition3ENGL LITR 3 LITR 150
Psychology3PSYC GEN 4 PSYC 150 & PSYC 1RS
Statistics3STAT GEN 3 MATH 251 (AE) or COHP 350 (HP) or STQM 260
Computer Science A3COMP SCIA 3 ISYS 110
Show all 37 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus BC3MATH CALCBC 4 MATH 220
Calculus BC4MATH CALCBC 8 MATH 220 & MATH 230
Biology3BIOL GEN 4 BIOL 103
Biology4BIOL GEN 8 BIOL 121 & BIOL 122
Chemistry3CHEM GEN 4 CHEM 1-Z
Chemistry4CHEM GEN 10 CHEM 121 & CHEM 122
English Language and Composition3ENGL LANG 3 ENGL 150
English Literature and Composition3ENGL LITR 3 LITR 150
Psychology3PSYC GEN 4 PSYC 150 & PSYC 1RS
Statistics3STAT GEN 3 MATH 251 (AE) or COHP 350 (HP) or STQM 260
Computer Science A3COMP SCIA 3 ISYS 110
Macroeconomics3ECON MACR 3 ECON 202
Microeconomics3ECON MICR 3 ECON 201
World History: Modern3HIST WRLD AP 3 HIST 211
World History: Modern4HIST WRLD 6 HIST 211 & 212
Environmental Science3ENV SCI 4 BIOL 111
European History3HIST EURO 3 HIST 1-C
Human Geography3HUMA GEO 3 GEOG 112
Spanish Language and Culture3SPAN GEN 8 SPAN 101 & SPAN 102
Spanish Language and Culture4SPAN GEN 16 SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201 & SPAN 202
Computer Science Principles3COMP SCI 4 CPSC 130
Art History3ART HIST 6 ARTH 110 & ARTH 111
Music Theory3MUSI GENA 2 MUSI 121
2-D Art and Design3ART DES 3 ARTS 102
3-D Art and Design3ART DES2 3 ARTS 220
African American Studies3AFAM STUD 3 AFAM 107
Calculus AB/AB Subscore3MATH CALCAB 4 MATH 220
Comparative Government and Politics3GOVT COM 4 PLSC 1GS
Drawing3ART STDR 3 ARTS 101
French Language and Culture3FREN GEN 8 FREN 101 & FREN 102
French Language and Culture4FREN GEN 16 FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201 & FREN 202
German Language and Culture3GERM GENA 16 GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201 & GERM 202
Latin3LATIN GEN 8 LANG 1-C
Physics 1: Algebra-Based3PHYS 1 4 PHYS 211
Physics 2: Algebra-Based3PHYS 2 4 PHYS 212
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3PHYS C1 5 PHYS 242
Physics C: Mechanics3PHYS C2 5 PHYS 241
Precalculus3MATH AP 4 MATH 130 OR MATH 126
Research3RESEARCH AP 3 ASCG 1--
Seminar3SEMINAR AP 3 ASCG 1--
Spanish Literature and Culture3SPAN LIT 4 SPAN 201
Spanish Literature and Culture4LIT SPAN 8 SPAN 201 & SPAN 202
U.S. Government and Politics3GOVT POL 4 PLSC 122 & PLSC 1RS
U.S. History3HIST USA 3 HIST 121
U.S. History4HIST USA 6 HIST 121 & 122

Source: ferris.edu · checked September 19, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Business Administration and Management143
Criminal Justice/Police Science140
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse93
General Studies70
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other59
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects55
Biology/Biological Sciences50
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician50
Show the other 77 majors
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other46
Psychology44
Construction Management43
Social Work42
Energy Systems Technology/Technician38
Elementary Education and Teaching38
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping33
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance32
Marketing/Marketing Management31
Operations Management and Supervision28
Manufacturing Engineering27
Graphic Design25
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians24
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician23
Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician23
Health/Health Care Administration/Management21
Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist20
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications19
Industrial Technology/Technician19
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration19
Illustration19
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician18
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing Operations18
Finance17
Social Studies Teacher Education17
Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator16
Child Care and Support Services Management15
Music Management15
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist14
Information Technology13
Hospitality Administration/Management13
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing13
Sports Communication12
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist10
Biotechnology10
Industrial and Product Design10
Fashion/Apparel Design10
Interior Design9
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician9
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician9
Business Analytics8
Printing Management8
Vision Science/Physiological Optics8
Rhetoric and Composition8
Writing8
Environmental Biology7
Applied Mathematics7
Biology Teacher Education7
History7
English/Language Arts Teacher Education6
Telecommunications Technology/Technician6
Mathematics Teacher Education5
Insurance5
Accounting and Finance5
Actuarial Science4
Sculpture4
Painting4
Surveying Engineering4
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other4
Spanish Language and Literature3
Economics3
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration3
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist3
Chemistry3
Public Relations/Image Management3
Drawing2
Photography2
Design and Visual Communications2
Social Sciences, Other2
Political Science and Government2
Advertising1
Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education1
Technical Teacher Education1
Chemistry, Other1
Design and Applied Arts, Other1
Art History, Criticism and Conservation1
Jewelry Arts1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Basketball, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)

Women’s varsity, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Army

Faith groups

Cru, Newman Connection

Also

Honors college, Esports, Study abroad

Greek life

6% of men in fraternities · 4% of women in sororities · 5% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2024–25)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), connection.newmanministry.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

Town, remote

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Big Rapids, MI

41,947 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

Gerald R Ford International (GRR)

Nearest hub airport

General Mitchell International (MKE)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 12.5 of 20

Elevation

957 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

13°F

July high

81°F

Annual snowfall

61.3 in

Days at 90°F or higher

8 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$870 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, town campus, similar size