Ferris State University

Staff Writers

If you are seeking a rewarding and well-rounded higher education with a large selection of academic programs to choose from, you may enjoy studying at Ferris State University. The institution offers eight degree-granting colleges: Arts and Science, Health Professions, Engineering Technology, Education and Human Services, Business, Pharmacy, Michigan College of Optometry, and Kendal College of Art & Design. Depending on your career goals, you can pursue an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Doctoral degree here.

Learn more about Ferris State University and what it has to offer to decide whether the school is right for you.

Admissions

Ferris State University had an acceptance rate of 74.2% in the 2018 academic year. To speed up the admissions process, students can self-report their GPA and test scores while waiting for their high schools to send official transcripts. Apply online, schedule a campus visit, learn more about financial aid, see what the student experience is like, sign up for freshman orientation, and discover how to prepare for your new life at Ferris State University on the institution’s website.

Tuition

The undergraduate tuition and fees for an academic year at Ferris State University comes out to about $11,788. This is definitely on the lower end when compared to the national average in the forty thousands. In addition to tuition, don’t forget to factor in other expenses like room and board, transportation, dining, books and supplies, and other personal expenses when budgeting for college.

Location

Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan.

The address is:
1201 S State St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307

Big Rapids is conveniently accessible by the US-131 freeway, and is approximately 55 miles north of Grand Rapids and within about 200 miles of Detroit and Chicago. Though Big Rapids is a relatively small city with only about 12,600 residents, Ferris State University students can always make a day or weekend trip to venture out into the larger popular cities.

Housing

Ferris State University offers a plethora of housing options for students: residence halls, suites, and apartments.

Residence Halls

All halls are equipped with Ethernet and cable TV connections, a small kitchenette, laundry facilities, and are totally smoke-free. Students who haven’t lived in university residence halls for two full academic semesters must live on-campus and purchase one of the university’s dining plans. Residents born on or after September 1st of the academic year are also required to live on-campus. Single rooms are available in the residence halls for those who don’t mind paying extra for their own space.
For the semester, a double room at a residence hall comes out to $515 per month, or $2,316 for the semester. A single room comes out to $606 per month, or $2,725 for the semester.

Suites

Built in 2010, Ferris State University’s suites are relatively new. They are fully furnished two and four-bedroom suites for students aged 19 and up by September 1st. The two-bedroom suite costs $8,418 for the academic year, or $4,209 for each semester. The four-bedroom suite costs $6,267 for the academic year, or $3,134 for each semester. If you don’t mind living with more people, you can save money on room & board by selecting the four-bedroom suite.

Living in the suites, you get access to the study/lounge area on the third floors, cable TV, building-wide WiFi, in-room ethernet connection, and central air and heat thermostat. Inside each suite, there is one full sofa, 2 single-person sofa chairs, 4 barstools, a dishwasher, a coffee table, a refrigerator and freezer, and a full double sink. Summer semester contracts are available for those who decide to take classes in summer.

There are a total of three co-ed floors, with an elevator located in each building. Laundry is located on the second floor. The hallway doors auto-lock, so there’s no chance of a student accidentally leaving the suite unlocked. Vending services for snacks and drinks are available.

Apartments

On-campus apartments are ideal for students and those with families. Students can live minutes away from and be walking distance to classes in any academic building, while being very close to home. All-inclusive pricing allows students more financial stability, and parking is included in room rates for returning students. To be qualified to live in an on-campus apartment, students must be officially accepted and not have any outstanding debt to the institution.

Students who are 19 years of age or older can choose between a two, three, and four-bedroom apartment. The two-bedroom apartment goes for $935 per month or $4,209 for each semester, while the four-bedroom apartment goes for $696 per month or $3,134 each semester. Similar to suite living, you’ll save some money by sharing a bigger space with more roommates.

Washer and dryer is available in-unit, and the living area is spacious. The complex is well-landscaped with bushes, trees, and interconnecting sidewalks. There’s even a playground and basketball courts for children to hang out.

Academic Programs

At Ferris State University, students have numerous undergraduate majors to choose from in the following sectors:

  • Business & Hospitality
  • Computers & Digital Technology
  • Engineering & Engineering Technology
  • Liberal & Fine Arts
  • Medical Health
  • Sciences

Within each major, there are different programs you can select depending on your interests and career goals. For example, if you are keen on running your own business after graduation, you may benefit from going into Business Administration. This program provides a broad-based education that is designed to significantly boost your career options. Ferris State University’s College of Business offers coursework in economics, legal studies, risk management & insurance, small business & entrepreneurship, international business, human resource management, leadership and project management, operations and supply management, and much more!

Graduate degree options include:

  • Doctor of Optometry
  • Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Criminal Justice Administration MS
  • Educational Leadership MS
  • Social Work MSW
  • Information Security & Intelligence MS
  • Career & Technical Education/Administrative Concentration
  • Career & Technical Education MS – Instructor
  • Career & Technical Education – Training & Development
  • Career & Technical Education – Postsecondary Administration
  • Curriculum & Instruction MEd – Subject Area
  • Curriculum & Instruction MEd – Special Education

Scholarships

Ferris State University knows that college is a hefty investment for many, and aims to make higher education accessible and affordable to all. The institution offers many different scholarship opportunities to its students such as:

Ferris Statewide Freshman Achievement Scholarship

  • Automatically awarded to the first 15 newly admitted students for the aid year who have a high school GPA of at least 3.2, OR an ACT composite score of 22+, OR an SAT score of 1080+
  • Students will receive $2,000 per year, not to exceed $1,000 per semester
  • To be qualified, students have to be admitted to an off-campus undergraduate degree granting program, and it cannot be online, certificate and pre-programs
  • Students must be registered for at least 3 Ferris credits
  • Not renewable

Ferris Statewide Transfer Achievement Scholarship

  • Automatically given out to the first 85 newly admitted students for the aid year who have a minimum of 24 accepted transfer credit hours and a minimum GPA of 3.2
  • Students will receive $2,000 per year, not to exceed $1,000 per semester
  • To be qualified, students have to be admitted to an off-campus undergraduate degree granting program, and it cannot be online, certificate and pre-programs
  • Students must be registered for at least 3 Ferris credits
  • Not renewable

Ferris Statewide & Online Endowed Scholarship

  • Students enrolled in an off-campus or online undergraduate program for at least 3 Ferris credit hours can apply

Ellen Haneline Health Professions Endowed Scholarship

  • Student has to be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in the College of Health Professions
  • Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 at the time of application
  • Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need

Industrial Technology & Management Scholarship

  • One lucky Ferris student majoring in Industrial Technology and Management will get this scholarship each year to help with educational expenses

Check out Ferris State University’s comprehensive list of scholarships available to students at the moment, and external scholarships that are not offered by Ferris, but students can apply and qualify for to help pay for college!

Demographics

Most of Ferris State University’s students are white, with a pretty even mix between male and female (47.5% male, 52.5% female). The ratio of male to female faculty is also excellent, with 46.6% male and 53.4% female. Ferris State University boasts an impressive age diversity with students ranging from the age of under 18, to 35 and over.

Athletics

A fun way to get to know new people and make sure to get exercise in your busy college schedule is to set aside some time to participate in sports. There are plenty of choices for both men and women to consider when it comes to athletics at Ferris State University.

Men can participate in basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, tennis, and or track & field, while women can participate in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and/or volleyball.

In addition to competitive sports, students can also take part in cheerleading and dance. With so many options to choose from, you’re bound to find something that interests you!