Ferris State University vs. PennWest California

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

Ferris State University PennWest California
Location Big Rapids, MI California, PA
Setting Remote Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 10,072 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $11,574
Room & Board $10,268 $10,416
Avg Net Price $13,978 -
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 0%

Admission

Ferris State University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 -
Admitted 10,746 -
Acceptance Rate 87.9%
Enrolled % 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1150 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 45% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

Ferris State University PennWest California
% Men 45% 39%
% Women 55% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 8% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Ferris State University PennWest California
% In-State 92% 86%
% Out-of-State 6% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 6,509 students)

Ferris State University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or PennWest California?

  • Ferris State University is 69.5% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13% higher at Ferris State University than PennWest California ($13,076.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 1.4% lower than costs at PennWest California ($10,268 vs. $10,416)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than PennWest California (94% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($11,128 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Ferris State University .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 87 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)

Ferris State University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Ferris State University (53% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $4,500 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $42,500)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $821 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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