Ferris State University vs. Marshall University

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

Ferris State University Marshall University
Location Big Rapids, MI Huntington, WV
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 10,072 10,691
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #813
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $7,190
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $18,244
Room & Board $10,268 $11,840
Avg Net Price $13,978 $8,756
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $11,221
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

Ferris State University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 6,356
Admitted 10,746 6,158
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 96.9%
Enrolled % 16.2% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 19/25
SAT Range 910/1150 930/1150
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 10, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University Marshall University
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%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 45% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $250 $239

Diversity

Ferris State University Marshall University
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 84%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University Marshall University
% In-State 92% 79%
% Out-of-State 6% 20%

Campus

Ferris State University Marshall University
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

  • Marshall University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (10,691 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 81.9% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $7,190.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.5% higher at Marshall University than Ferris State University ($18,244.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Ferris State University ($8,756 vs. $13,978)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 15.3% lower than costs at Marshall University ($10,268 vs. $11,840)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Ferris State University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 0.8% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($11,221 vs. $11,128)

Ferris State University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 19 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University or Marshall 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 Marshall University and Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Marshall University (45% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $6,800 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $40,200)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $1,045 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($23,134 vs. $24,179)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($239 vs. $250)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 43%)

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