Ferris State University vs. UWM

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

Ferris State University UWM
Location Big Rapids, MI Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 9,918 22,481
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #845
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu uwm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University UWM
Tuition (In State) $13,524 $8,455
Tuition (Out of State) $13,524 $20,455
Room & Board $10,660 $10,980
Avg Net Price $13,154 $16,499
Avg Grant Aid $12,823 $5,305
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 83%

Admission

Ferris State University UWM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,548 16,662
Admitted 7,694 14,736
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 88.4%
Enrolled % 20.7% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.16
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26 19/24
SAT Range 890/1120
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 Sep 1, 2025

Academics

Ferris State University UWM
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 (27%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University UWM
Graduation Rate 45% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $24,958
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

Ferris State University UWM
% Men 3% 8%
% Women 6% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 68%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 9%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Ferris State University UWM
% In-State 93% 89%
% Out-of-State 5% 10%

Campus

Ferris State University UWM
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

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (22,481 students vs. 9,918 students)

Ferris State University vs. UWM Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 60% more expensive to attend than UWM for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $8,455.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.2% higher at UWM than Ferris State University ($20,455.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than UWM ($13,154 vs. $16,499)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 3% lower than costs at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($10,660 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (97% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 141.7% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($12,823 vs. $5,305)

Ferris State University vs. UWM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (1050) is 41 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming UWM students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at UWM (3.16)
  • UWM has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

Ferris State University vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (45% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $900 more per year than UWM graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $46,100)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $779 lower median federal student loan debt than UWM graduates. ($24,179 vs. $24,958)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than UWM graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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