Shawnee State University vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shawnee State University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shawnee State University 12:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Shawnee State University vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University than Ferrum College ($13,996 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 5.5% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,502 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 168.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $17,894 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at Ferrum College than at Shawnee State University (about $11,162 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Shawnee State University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 340.5% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($34,444 vs. $7,820).

Shawnee State University vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University.

• Shawnee State University 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: Shawnee State University - Open admission; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Shawnee State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).

Shawnee State University vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $4,288 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($23,712 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($245 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 36%)

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.