ISU vs. Ferris State University

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

ISU Ferris State University
Location Normal, IL Big Rapids, MI
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 20,989 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #501 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $12,066 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $24,131 $13,524
Room & Board $11,584 $10,660
Avg Net Price $20,871 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $11,590 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 97%

Admission

ISU Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,884 9,548
Admitted 18,589 7,694
Acceptance Rate 89% 80.6%
Enrolled % 22.3% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/27 18/26
SAT Range 1010/1230 890/1120
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 Apr 1, 2025

Academics

ISU Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

ISU Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 71% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $227 $250

Diversity

ISU Ferris State University
% Men 4% 3%
% Women 8% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 9% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

ISU Ferris State University
% In-State 96% 93%
% Out-of-State 3% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (20,989 students vs. 9,918 students)

ISU vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 12.1% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $12,066.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.4% higher at ISU than Ferris State University ($24,131.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than ISU ($13,154 vs. $20,871)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 8.7% lower than costs at Illinois State University ($10,660 vs. $11,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Illinois State University (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 10.6% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($12,823 vs. $11,590)

ISU vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 81 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

ISU vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Ferris State University (71% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $47,000)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $2,179 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,179)
  • ISU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($227 vs. $250)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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