Eastern Michigan University vs. Ferris State University

Deciding between Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Eastern Michigan University
Ferris State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
  • Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
  • Setting
  • Eastern Michigan University Large Suburban
  • Ferris State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Eastern Michigan University 12,631
  • Ferris State University 9,959
  • Type
  • Eastern Michigan University Public 4 Year
  • Ferris State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Eastern Michigan University #781
  • Ferris State University #771
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Eastern Michigan University -
  • Ferris State University -
  • Status
  • Eastern Michigan University Non-profit
  • Ferris State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Ferris State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Eastern Michigan University $16,240
  • Ferris State University $14,778
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Eastern Michigan University $16,240
  • Ferris State University $14,778
  • Room & Board
  • Eastern Michigan University $13,652
  • Ferris State University $11,462
  • Average Net Price
  • Eastern Michigan University $15,742
  • Ferris State University $10,825
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Eastern Michigan University $13,370
  • Ferris State University $16,117
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Eastern Michigan University 93%
  • Ferris State University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Eastern Michigan University Calculate
  • Ferris State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Eastern Michigan University 21,337
  • Ferris State University 12,460
  • Admitted
  • Eastern Michigan University 16,992
  • Ferris State University 11,387
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Eastern Michigan University 79.6%
  • Ferris State University 91.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Eastern Michigan University 9.7%
  • Ferris State University 14.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Eastern Michigan University 1050
  • Ferris State University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Eastern Michigan University 22
  • Ferris State University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Eastern Michigan University 3.37
  • Ferris State University 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Eastern Michigan University B+
  • Ferris State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Eastern Michigan University Moderate
  • Ferris State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Ferris State University
  • ACT Range
  • Eastern Michigan University 18/27
  • Ferris State University 20/24
  • SAT Range
  • Eastern Michigan University 920/1170
  • Ferris State University 890/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Eastern Michigan University Test optional
  • Ferris State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Ferris State University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Eastern Michigan University 14:1
  • Ferris State University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Eastern Michigan University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (19%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Ferris State University
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Engineering Technology (15%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Eastern Michigan University 40%
  • Ferris State University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Eastern Michigan University $41,600
  • Ferris State University $47,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Eastern Michigan University 45%
  • Ferris State University 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Eastern Michigan University $25,500
  • Ferris State University $24,179
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Eastern Michigan University $263
  • Ferris State University $250
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Eastern Michigan University 40%
  • Ferris State University 44%
  • % Women
  • Eastern Michigan University 60%
  • Ferris State University 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Eastern Michigan University Medium
  • Ferris State University Low
  • HBCU
  • Eastern Michigan University No
  • Ferris State University No
  • % White
  • Eastern Michigan University 65%
  • Ferris State University 79%
  • % Asian
  • Eastern Michigan University 2%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • % Black
  • Eastern Michigan University 20%
  • Ferris State University 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Eastern Michigan University 5%
  • Ferris State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Eastern Michigan University 0%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Eastern Michigan University 0%
  • Ferris State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Eastern Michigan University 4%
  • Ferris State University 3%
  • % International
  • Eastern Michigan University 2%
  • Ferris State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Eastern Michigan University 2%
  • Ferris State University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Eastern Michigan University 84%
  • Ferris State University 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Eastern Michigan University 11%
  • Ferris State University 6%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI with Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Michigan University is larger than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (12,631 students vs. 9,959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, MI (Large Suburban setting); Ferris State University is in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting).
  • Eastern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Michigan University 14:1; Ferris State University 15:1.

Eastern Michigan University vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern Michigan University or Ferris State University? 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 Ferris State University than Eastern Michigan University ($10,825 vs. $15,742).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 16% lower than at Eastern Michigan University ($11,462 vs. $13,652).
  • Eastern Michigan University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferris State University (about $1,462 more per year; $16,240.00 vs. $14,778.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Eastern Michigan University than at Ferris State University (about $1,462 more per year; $16,240.00 vs. $14,778.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferris State University than at Eastern Michigan University (99% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Michigan University students ($16,117 vs. $13,370).

Eastern Michigan University vs. Ferris State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern Michigan University or Ferris State University? 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 Ferris State University and Eastern Michigan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Michigan University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Ferris State University (1010).
  • Incoming Eastern Michigan University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Ferris State University (22).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Michigan University 920/1170; Ferris State University 890/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Michigan University 18/27; Ferris State University 20/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern Michigan University - Test optional; Ferris State University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Eastern Michigan University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Ferris State University (3.3).
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than Eastern Michigan University (79.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Eastern Michigan University vs. 14.7% at Ferris State University.

Eastern Michigan University vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State University? 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).

  • Ferris State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Eastern Michigan University's (40%).
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Eastern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have a $1,321 lower median loan debt than Eastern Michigan University graduates ($24,179 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern Michigan University graduates ($250 vs. $263).
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 45%)

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.