DSC vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

DSC vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Ferrum College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dalton State College than Ferrum College ($5,625 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 21.2% lower than at Ferrum College ($10,419 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 754.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $25,184 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.6% higher at Ferrum College than at Dalton State College (about $17,864 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Dalton State College (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 417.6% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($34,444 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Ferrum College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ferrum College and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ferrum College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.14) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Ferrum College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ferrum College's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $13,113 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($14,887 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($153 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.