Ferris State University vs. Central Washington University

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

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Location Big Rapids, MI Ellensburg, WA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 10,072 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $23,881
Room & Board $10,268 $13,645
Avg Net Price $13,978 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 73%

Admission

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 6,409
Admitted 10,746 5,992
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 93.5%
Enrolled % 16.2% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 17/24
SAT Range 910/1150 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 45% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $250 $214

Diversity

Ferris State University Central Washington University
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 59%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 14%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

Ferris State University Central Washington University
% In-State 92% 95%
% Out-of-State 6% 5%

Campus

Ferris State University Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 9,257 students)

Ferris State University vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Central Washington University?

  • Ferris State University is 91.8% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 82.6% higher at Central Washington University than Ferris State University ($23,881.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Central Washington University ($13,978 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 32.9% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($10,268 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Central Washington University (94% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 19.7% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($11,128 vs. $9,294)

Ferris State University vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 31 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or Central Washington 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 Central Washington University and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Ferris State University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $800 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $47,000)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $3,442 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $24,179)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($214 vs. $250)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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