Ferris State University vs. GVSU

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

Ferris State University GVSU
Location Big Rapids, MI Allendale, MI
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 10,072 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University GVSU
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $19,856
Room & Board $10,268 $10,140
Avg Net Price $13,978 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

Ferris State University GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 17,123
Admitted 10,746 15,474
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 90.4%
Enrolled % 16.2% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 21/27
SAT Range 910/1150 960/1210
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University GVSU
Graduation Rate 45% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

Ferris State University GVSU
% Men 45% 38%
% Women 55% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Ferris State University GVSU
% In-State 92% 91%
% Out-of-State 6% 8%

Campus

Ferris State University GVSU
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

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Grand Valley State University is 6.7% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.9% higher at GVSU than Ferris State University ($19,856.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than GVSU ($13,978 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 1.3% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($10,140 vs. $10,268)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 26.3% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($11,128 vs. $8,811)

Ferris State University vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 81 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Ferris State University (63% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $821 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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