Ferris State University vs. SAU

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

 Ferris State University SAU
Location Big Rapids, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 10,072 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Ferris State University SAU
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $31,020
Room & Board $10,268 $10,652
Avg Net Price $13,978 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 Ferris State University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 2,312
Admitted 10,746 1,094
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 47.3%
Enrolled % 16.2% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/23 20/26
SAT Range 910/1150 970/1135
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

Academics

 Ferris State University SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 Ferris State University SAU
Graduation Rate 45% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $250 $248

Diversity

 Ferris State University SAU
% Men 45% 23%
% Women 55% 77%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 Ferris State University SAU
% In-State 92% 83%
% Out-of-State 6% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 2,396 students)

Ferris State University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

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

  • Spring Arbor University is 137.2% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 137.2% higher at SAU than Ferris State University ($31,020.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than SAU ($13,978 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 3.7% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($10,268 vs. $10,652)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Ferris State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 85.8% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($20,677 vs. $11,128)

Ferris State University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 64 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than SAU (47.3%)

Ferris State University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Ferris State University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $4,400 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $136 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($24,043 vs. $24,179)
  • SAU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($248 vs. $250)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 58%)

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