Ferris State University vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferris State University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (9,959 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Ferris State University vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside than Ferris State University ($10,234 vs. $10,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 23.7% lower than at Ferris State University ($8,750 vs. $11,462).
• Ferris State University is 78.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $6,508 more per year; $14,778.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Parkside than at Ferris State University (about $2,651 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferris State University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 112.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($16,117 vs. $7,598).

Ferris State University vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or Parkside? 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 Parkside and Ferris State University.

• Incoming Ferris State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• 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; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferris State University - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Ferris State University (3.3).
• Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Ferris State University vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Ferris State University vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferris State University and Parkside? 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).

• Ferris State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $1,214 lower median loan debt than Ferris State University graduates ($22,965 vs. $24,179).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferris State University graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.