Ferris State University vs. WMU

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

Ferris State University WMU
Location Big Rapids, MI Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 10,072 17,000
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #634
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University WMU
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $18,154
Room & Board $10,268 $11,102
Avg Net Price $13,978 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

Ferris State University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 20,501
Admitted 10,746 17,334
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 84.6%
Enrolled % 16.2% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 19/27
SAT Range 910/1150 990/1220
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

Academics

Ferris State University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University WMU
Graduation Rate 45% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $250 $275

Diversity

Ferris State University WMU
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 72%
% Black 8% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University WMU
% In-State 92% 79%
% Out-of-State 6% 19%

Campus

Ferris State University WMU
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

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 10,072 students)

Ferris State University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Michigan University is 11.1% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.8% higher at WMU than Ferris State University ($18,154.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than WMU ($13,978 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 8.1% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($10,268 vs. $11,102)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Western Michigan University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 63.3% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($11,128 vs. $6,813)

Ferris State University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Michigan University (1030) is 21 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than WMU (84.6%)

Ferris State University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Ferris State University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $47,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,454 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $26,633)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($250 vs. $275)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU 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/