Ferris State University vs. Kent State University at Salem

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

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
Location Big Rapids, MI Salem, OH
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,918 1,463
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu kent.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
Tuition (In State) $13,524 $7,170
Tuition (Out of State) $13,524 $16,642
Room & Board $10,660 $11,810
Avg Net Price $13,154 $10,796
Avg Grant Aid $12,823 $4,527
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 66%

Admission

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,548 -
Admitted 7,694 -
Acceptance Rate 80.6% Open
Enrolled % 20.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26
SAT Range 890/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 24:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
Graduation Rate 45% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,825
Median Loan Payment $250 $267

Diversity

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
% Men 3% 8%
% Women 6% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 88%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Ferris State University Kent State University at Salem
% In-State 93% 99%
% Out-of-State 5% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 1,463 students)

Ferris State University vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Kent State University at Salem?

  • Ferris State University is 88.6% more expensive to attend than Kent State University at Salem for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $7,170.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.1% higher at Kent State University at Salem than Ferris State University ($16,642.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kent State University at Salem than Ferris State University ($10,796 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 10.8% lower than costs at Kent State University at Salem ($10,660 vs. $11,810)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Kent State University at Salem (97% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 183.3% larger than aid received Kent State University at Salem ($12,823 vs. $4,527)

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

  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27)

Ferris State University vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Kent State University at Salem (45% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $40,300)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $1,646 lower median federal student loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,825)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($250 vs. $267)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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