Ferris State University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferris State University is larger than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota based on total student enrollment (9,959 students vs. 4,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 18:1.

Ferris State University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota ($10,825 vs. $22,032).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota are 2.3% lower than at Ferris State University ($11,200 vs. $11,462).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 205% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferris State University (about $30,302 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Ferris State University (about $30,302 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Ferris State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students is 119.3% larger than aid received by Ferris State University students ($35,348 vs. $16,117).

Ferris State University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Ferris State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferris State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferris State University - Test optional; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Ferris State University (3.3).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Ferris State University (91.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Ferris State University vs. 18.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Ferris State University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferris State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Ferris State University's (45%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Ferris State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have a $929 lower median loan debt than Ferris State University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,179).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferris State University graduates ($240 vs. $250).
• More Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.