Fisher College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fisher College in Boston, MA with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fisher College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,652 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Fisher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fisher College 14:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Fisher College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher College or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College than Fisher College ($20,082 vs. $28,596).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferrum College are 26.7% lower than at Fisher College ($13,230 vs. $18,041).
• Fisher College is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $7,169 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Fisher College than at Ferrum College (about $7,169 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Fisher College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 35.7% larger than aid received by Fisher College students ($34,444 vs. $25,379).

Fisher College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher College or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College and Fisher College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ferrum College (990) is 50 points higher than at Fisher College (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 800/1070; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher College - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ferrum College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.14) than students at Fisher College (2.72).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Fisher College (70.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.1% at Fisher College vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Fisher College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher College and Ferrum College? 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).

• Fisher College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Fisher College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fisher College graduates have a $8,813 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($19,187 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher College graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($198 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 45%)

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.