Ferris State University vs. NSU

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

Ferris State University NSU
Location Big Rapids, MI Norfolk, VA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 9,918 6,045
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #999
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $13,524 $5,926
Tuition (Out of State) $13,524 $17,428
Room & Board $10,660 $11,692
Avg Net Price $13,154 $12,272
Avg Grant Aid $12,823 $11,153
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 97%

Admission

Ferris State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,548 10,211
Admitted 7,694 8,931
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 87.5%
Enrolled % 20.7% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26 16/21
SAT Range 890/1120 840/1100
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 31, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University NSU
Graduation Rate 45% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $320

Diversity

Ferris State University NSU
% Men 3% 3%
% Women 6% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 79% 5%
% Black 8% 84%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Ferris State University NSU
% In-State 93% 65%
% Out-of-State 5% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 6,045 students)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 128.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $5,926.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.9% higher at NSU than Ferris State University ($17,428.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Ferris State University ($12,272 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 9.7% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($10,660 vs. $11,692)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University as Norfolk State University (97% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 15% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($12,823 vs. $11,153)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 201 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

Ferris State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Norfolk State University (45% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $10,300 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $36,700)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $6,821 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $31,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($250 vs. $320)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 27%)

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