Columbia College vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia 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.

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Columbia College Chicago vs. Ferris State University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago Ferris State University
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Overview

Columbia College Ferris State University
Location Chicago, IL Big Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,529 9,918
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $30,734 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $30,734 $13,524
Room & Board $16,838 $10,660
Avg Net Price $29,790 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $20,851 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Columbia College Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,873 9,548
Admitted 7,178 7,694
Acceptance Rate 91.2%Open 80.6%
Enrolled % 22.4%Open 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26
SAT Range 890/1120
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 41% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $268 $250

Diversity

Columbia College Ferris State University
% Men 1% 3%
% Women 2% 6%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 79%
% Black 15% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Ferris State University
% In-State 57% 93%
% Out-of-State 40% 5%

Campus

Columbia 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 Columbia College based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 6,529 students)

Columbia College vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia College Chicago is 127.3% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($30,734.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 127.3% higher at Columbia College than Ferris State University ($30,734.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Columbia College ($13,154 vs. $29,790)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 58% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,660 vs. $16,838)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Ferris State University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 62.6% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($20,851 vs. $12,823)

Columbia College vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia College .

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

Columbia College vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia 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 Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (45% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $9,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $37,300)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $1,821 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($24,179 vs. $26,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($250 vs. $268)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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