Peirce College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Peirce College in Philadelphia, PA with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Peirce College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (929 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Peirce College is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Peirce College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Peirce College 13:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Peirce College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peirce 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 Peirce College than Ferrum College ($13,290 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 33.5% lower than at Ferrum College ($8,800 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 89.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peirce College (about $13,460 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.4% higher at Ferrum College than at Peirce College (about $13,460 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peirce College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 541.4% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($34,444 vs. $5,370).

Peirce College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Peirce 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 Peirce College.

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Peirce College - Open admission; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.

Peirce College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peirce 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).

• Ferrum College's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ferrum College graduates have a $8,125 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($28,000 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, Ferrum College graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($289 vs. $373).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 32%)

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.