Ferris State University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI with Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferris State University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (9,959 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); Cleveland Institute of Music is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1.

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music ($10,825 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 31% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,462 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 257.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferris State University (about $38,102 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257.8% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Ferris State University (about $38,102 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Ferris State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 93.5% larger than aid received by Ferris State University students ($31,191 vs. $16,117).

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music and Ferris State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferris State University - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Ferris State University vs. 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music.

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferris State University and Cleveland Institute of Music? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Ferris State University's (45%).
• Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have a $2,821 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($24,179 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.