Adrian College vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Adrian College or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Adrian College or Ferris State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Adrian College vs. Ferris State University comparison
Adrian College Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Adrian College Ferris State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Adrian College Ferris State University
Location Adrian, MI Big Rapids, MI
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,821 10,072
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #846 #791
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website adrian.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Adrian College Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $38,321 $13,076
Tuition (Out of State) $38,321 $13,076
Room & Board $12,980 $10,268
Avg Net Price $24,870 $13,978
Avg Grant Aid $31,555 $11,128
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Adrian College Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,329 12,228
Admitted 2,299 10,746
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 87.9%
Enrolled % 22.1% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/25 18/23
SAT Range 940/1160 910/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Adrian College Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Adrian College Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 49% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,900 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

Adrian College Ferris State University
% Men 53% 45%
% Women 47% 55%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Adrian College Ferris State University
% In-State 64% 92%
% Out-of-State 30% 6%

Campus

Adrian College Ferris State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 1,821 students)

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adrian College or Ferris State University?

  • Adrian College is 193.1% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($38,321.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 193.1% higher at Adrian College than Ferris State University ($38,321.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Adrian College ($13,978 vs. $24,870)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 26.4% lower than costs at Adrian College ($10,268 vs. $12,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Adrian College than Ferris State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 183.6% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($31,555 vs. $11,128)

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adrian College or Ferris State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ferris State University or Adrian College .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 1 points higher than at Adrian College (1008)
  • Incoming Adrian College students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Adrian College (3.2)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Adrian College (69.1%)

Adrian College vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Adrian College or Ferris State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Ferris State University and Adrian College.

  • The graduation rate at Adrian College is higher than Ferris State University (49% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $7,100 more per year than Adrian College graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $39,900)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,821 lower median federal student loan debt than Adrian College graduates. ($24,179 vs. $27,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Adrian College graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/