Ferris State University vs. MIAD

Should I go to Ferris State University or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State University or MIAD 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. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design comparison
Ferris State University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design College 3 College 4
Ferris State University
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Overview

Ferris State University MIAD
Location Big Rapids, MI Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 9,918 885
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu miad.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University MIAD
Tuition (In State) $13,524 $40,480
Tuition (Out of State) $13,524 $40,480
Room & Board $10,660 $10,430
Avg Net Price $13,154 $28,024
Avg Grant Aid $12,823 $24,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

Ferris State University MIAD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,548 1,059
Admitted 7,694 665
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 62.8%
Enrolled % 20.7% 30.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/26 20/28
SAT Range 890/1120 940/1140
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 31, 2026

Academics

Ferris State University MIAD
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
  • Communications Technology (7%)
  • Architecture (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University MIAD
Graduation Rate 45% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $279

Diversity

Ferris State University MIAD
% Men 3% 0%
% Women 6% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 68%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Ferris State University MIAD
% In-State 93% 56%
% Out-of-State 5% 44%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than MIAD based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 885 students)

Ferris State University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

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

  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 199.3% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($40,480.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 199.3% higher at MIAD than Ferris State University ($40,480.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than MIAD ($13,154 vs. $28,024)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 2.2% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($10,430 vs. $10,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than Ferris State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 91.9% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($24,605 vs. $12,823)

Ferris State University vs. MIAD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MIAD (3.08)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than MIAD (62.8%)

Ferris State University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MIAD is higher than Ferris State University (57% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $11,000 more per year than MIAD graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $36,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,821 lower median federal student loan debt than MIAD graduates. ($24,179 vs. $27,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than MIAD graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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