Marian vs. Ferris State University

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

Marian Ferris State University
Location Indianapolis, IN Big Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 3,586 9,918
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website marian.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Marian Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $39,100 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $39,100 $13,524
Room & Board $13,200 $10,660
Avg Net Price $23,225 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $29,269 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

Marian Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,883 9,548
Admitted 3,702 7,694
Acceptance Rate 95.3% 80.6%
Enrolled % 16.7% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26
SAT Range 890/1120
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Marian Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (55%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Marian Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 58% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

Marian Ferris State University
% Men 12% 3%
% Women 19% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 12% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Marian Ferris State University
% In-State 87% 93%
% Out-of-State 10% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Marian based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 3,586 students)

Marian vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Marian University is 189.1% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 189.1% higher at Marian than Ferris State University ($39,100.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Marian ($13,154 vs. $23,225)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 23.8% lower than costs at Marian University ($10,660 vs. $13,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marian University than Ferris State University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 128.3% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($29,269 vs. $12,823)

Marian vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian .

  • The average SAT score at Marian University (1026) is 17 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Marian students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

Marian vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Marian 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 Marian.

  • The graduation rate at Marian is higher than Ferris State University (58% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $2,200 more per year than Marian graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,800)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,821 lower median federal student loan debt than Marian graduates. ($24,179 vs. $27,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Marian graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

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