Ferris State University vs. Cleveland State

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

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
Location Big Rapids, MI Cleveland, OH
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 10,072 14,385
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $17,359
Room & Board $10,268 $14,197
Avg Net Price $13,978 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 91%

Admission

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 11,570
Admitted 10,746 9,872
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 85.3%
Enrolled % 16.2% 16.8%
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 18/25
SAT Range 910/1150 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 45% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $222

Diversity

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
% Men 45% 46%
% Women 55% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 64%
% Black 8% 17%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 Ferris State University Cleveland State
% In-State 92% 85%
% Out-of-State 6% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Cleveland State?

  • Ferris State University is 7.7% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.8% higher at Cleveland State than Ferris State University ($17,359.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Cleveland State ($13,978 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 38.3% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($10,268 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Cleveland State University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 17.9% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($11,128 vs. $9,436)

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 19 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Cleveland State (85.3%)

Ferris State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Cleveland State University (45% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $2,679 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,179)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($222 vs. $250)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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