Columbus State vs. Ferris State University

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

Columbus State Ferris State University
Location Columbus, GA Big Rapids, MI
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 7,610 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #997 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $13,524
Room & Board $11,262 $10,660
Avg Net Price $11,384 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $8,299 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

Columbus State Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,550 9,548
Admitted 3,523 7,694
Acceptance Rate 99.2% 80.6%
Enrolled % 30.7% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 18/26
SAT Range 860/1100 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 Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 31% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $268 $250

Diversity

Columbus State Ferris State University
% Men 7% 3%
% Women 14% 6%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 79%
% Black 37% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Columbus State Ferris State University
% In-State 91% 93%
% Out-of-State 7% 5%

Campus

Columbus State 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 Columbus State based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 7,610 students)

Columbus State vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 209.4% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.1% higher at Columbus State than Ferris State University ($15,425.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Ferris State University ($11,384 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 5.6% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,660 vs. $11,262)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Ferris State University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 54.5% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($12,823 vs. $8,299)

Columbus State vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 48 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

Columbus State vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Columbus State University (45% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $9,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $1,821 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($24,179 vs. $26,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($250 vs. $268)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 37%)

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