Ferris State University vs. Tarleton

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

Ferris State University Tarleton
Location Big Rapids, MI Stephenville, TX
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 10,072 14,092
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #871
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu tarleton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Tarleton
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $4,416
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $14,208
Room & Board $10,268 $10,328
Avg Net Price $13,978 $13,755
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $8,463
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 79%

Admission

Ferris State University Tarleton
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 5,788
Admitted 10,746 5,039
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 87.1%
Enrolled % 16.2% 48.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1150 950/1150
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 1, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University Tarleton
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Agriculture (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Tarleton
Graduation Rate 45% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $250 $204

Diversity

Ferris State University Tarleton
% Men 45% 36%
% Women 55% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 68%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 18%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University Tarleton
% In-State 92% 97%
% Out-of-State 6% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Tarleton State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (14,092 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 196.1% more expensive to attend than Tarleton for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $4,416.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.7% higher at Tarleton than Ferris State University ($14,208.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tarleton State University than Ferris State University ($13,755 vs. $13,978)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 0.6% lower than costs at Tarleton State University ($10,268 vs. $10,328)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Tarleton State University (94% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 31.5% larger than aid received Tarleton State University ($11,128 vs. $8,463)

Ferris State University vs. Tarleton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 50 points higher than at Tarleton (959)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Tarleton (21)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tarleton (3.21)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Tarleton (87.1%)

Ferris State University vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Tarleton State University (45% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Tarleton graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $45,500)
  • Tarleton State University students graduate with a $4,429 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($19,750 vs. $24,179)
  • Tarleton graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($204 vs. $250)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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