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GVSU CMU Eastern Michigan University WMU Shepherd University Michigan State Minnesota State University-Mankato Oakland Michigan Tech Saginaw Valley State University Davenport University Northern Michigan University| Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Location | Big Rapids, MI | Marshall, MN | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 9,918 | 7,324 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #617 | #910 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ferris.edu | smsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $13,524 | $8,840 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $13,524 | $8,840 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,660 | $10,666 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,154 | $14,839 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,823 | $7,455 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 91% |
Admission |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 9,548 | 2,630 | ||
| Admitted | 7,694 | 1,813 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.6% | 68.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20.7% | 20.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.21 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/26 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 890/1120 | 935/1102 | ||
| 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 18, 2026 |
Academics |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 45% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,000 | $41,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,179 | $21,678 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $250 | $224 |
Diversity |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 6% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 80% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 20% | ||
Campus |
Ferris State University | Southwest Minnesota State 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
- Ferris State University is larger than than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 7,324 students)
Ferris State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Ferris State University is 53% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- Out of state tuition is 53% higher at Ferris State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,524.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($13,154 vs. $14,839)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 0.1% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,660 vs. $10,666)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (97% vs. 91%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 72% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($12,823 vs. $7,455)
Ferris State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or Ferris State University .
- The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 1 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
- Incoming Ferris State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
- Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
- Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (68.9%)
Ferris State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Ferris State University or Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Ferris State University.
- The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (45% vs. 39%)
- Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $5,800 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $41,200)
- Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $2,501 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,179)
- Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($224 vs. $250)
- More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/