Ferris State University vs. WSU

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

Ferris State University WSU
Location Big Rapids, MI Detroit, MI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 10,072 23,630
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #582
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu wayne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University WSU
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $12,933
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $29,622
Room & Board $10,268 $11,321
Avg Net Price $13,978 $15,347
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $10,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 96%

Admission

Ferris State University WSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 14,002
Admitted 10,746 10,547
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 75.3%
Enrolled % 16.2% 24.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 21/28
SAT Range 910/1150 1040/1260
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 WSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University WSU
Graduation Rate 45% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $22,258
Median Loan Payment $250 $230

Diversity

Ferris State University WSU
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 57%
% Black 8% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Ferris State University WSU
% In-State 92% 93%
% Out-of-State 6% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wayne State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (23,630 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. WSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 1.1% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $12,933.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 126.5% higher at WSU than Ferris State University ($29,622.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than WSU ($13,978 vs. $15,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 10.3% lower than costs at Wayne State University ($10,268 vs. $11,321)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wayne State University than Ferris State University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received Wayne State University ($11,128 vs. $10,605)

Ferris State University vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wayne State University (1070) is 61 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than WSU (75.3%)

Ferris State University vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Wayne State University (45% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Wayne State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $47,000)
  • Wayne State University students graduate with a $1,921 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($22,258 vs. $24,179)
  • WSU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($230 vs. $250)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 38%)

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