CMU vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Central Michigan University or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU 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.
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Central Michigan University vs. Ferris State University comparison
Central Michigan University Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University Ferris State University
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Overview

 CMU Ferris State University
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Big Rapids, MI
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 14,399 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #802 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $13,740 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $13,740 $13,524
Room & Board $12,178 $10,660
Avg Net Price $15,826 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $10,638 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 97%

Admission

 CMU Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,102 9,548
Admitted 16,474 7,694
Acceptance Rate 91% 80.6%
Enrolled % 12.4% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/26
SAT Range 960/1210 890/1120
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

Academics

 CMU Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 CMU Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 54% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

 CMU Ferris State University
% Men 13% 3%
% Women 17% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 79%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 CMU Ferris State University
% In-State 88% 93%
% Out-of-State 8% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (14,399 students vs. 9,918 students)

CMU vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Ferris State University?

  • Central Michigan University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($13,740.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at CMU than Ferris State University ($13,740.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than CMU ($13,154 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 14.2% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,660 vs. $12,178)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Central Michigan University (97% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 20.5% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($12,823 vs. $10,638)

CMU vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU 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 CMU .

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 40 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

CMU vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU 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 CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Ferris State University (54% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,500)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,821 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $27,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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