Ferris State University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 9,959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Ferris State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferris State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Ferris State University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferris State University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Ferris State University than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($10,825 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 29.4% lower than at Ferris State University ($8,090 vs. $11,462).
• Ferris State University is 71.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $6,162 more per year; $14,778.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Ferris State University (about $3,938 more per year; $18,716.00 vs. $14,778.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferris State University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 183.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($16,117 vs. $5,685).

Ferris State University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Ferris State University.

• Incoming Ferris State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• 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 Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferris State University - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.4%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Ferris State University vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Ferris State University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferris State University and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Ferris State University's (45%).
• Graduates from Ferris State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have a $792 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,179 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, Ferris State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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.