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Ferris State University

#672 in US ranking Big Rapids, MI
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$28,646
Tuition & fees
$14,616
Avg. aid
$12,005
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
91%
SAT range
890–1120
ACT range
20–24

Outcomes

Graduation rate
47%
Median salary
$53,165
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Ferris State University?

Ferris State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it does not mean that every individual degree has the same professional accreditation or meets every state's licensing requirements.

Some Ferris programs also have discipline-specific oversight or accreditation. That distinction is particularly important in fields such as pharmacy, optometry, nursing, and other health professions, where professional standards and licensing rules can affect a graduate's next steps. Applicants to a regulated field should verify the status of the specific program and campus and check the licensing requirements of the state where they intend to practice.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when seeking to transfer credit. It does not, by itself, require another college to accept particular courses: receiving institutions decide how credits apply to their own degree requirements.

What are the admission requirements at Ferris State University?

First-year applicants generally need to submit an application and a secondary-school academic record showing high school completion or an accepted equivalent. Ferris is not an open-admission institution, although its reported admission rate is relatively high.

In the reported first-year admissions figures, Ferris admitted about 91% of applicants. The university considers high school GPA and requires a school record; class rank and recommendations are considered when available rather than universally required. SAT or ACT scores are considered but are not listed as a general requirement. A score can therefore provide context for an application without being the sole measure of an applicant's preparation.

Requirements can change by applicant type and major. International applicants may need to document English proficiency, while programs with clinical, professional, or limited-capacity components may have additional admission steps after university admission. Applicants should distinguish admission to Ferris from admission to a particular major and check the current application instructions and term deadlines for their category.

What are the application fees and waivers at Ferris State University?

Applicants should check the fee shown in Ferris State's current application before submitting it. Application charges and temporary fee-waiver campaigns can vary by application route or applicant category, and an enrollment or orientation deposit is a different charge.

Students who cannot afford an application fee should ask admissions whether they qualify for a need-based waiver and what documentation or waiver code is required. That conversation is most useful before submitting a paid application, since a later waiver may not result in a refund. Graduate and professional applicants should check their own program's instructions rather than assume undergraduate fee rules apply.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Ferris State University?

Ferris State students have an Army ROTC participation arrangement through a cooperating host institution rather than a stand-alone Army ROTC unit operated by Ferris on its main campus. Interested students should confirm the current host, travel expectations, course registration process, and whether training fits their academic schedule.

ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are separate matters. Scholarship eligibility, medical and fitness standards, commissioning requirements, and any subsequent service obligation depend on the program and the student's circumstances. Applicants interested in Air Force or Navy ROTC should not assume that a local unit or cross-enrollment arrangement is available; they need confirmation from the relevant ROTC program before building it into an enrollment plan.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Ferris State University?

Ferris State accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credits from other accredited institutions. Admission to the university and acceptance of individual courses toward a chosen degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended and review any additional requirements for their intended major. Ferris also reports accepting certain examination-based and evaluated learning credits, including CLEP, DSST, and applicable American Council on Education recommendations. The award and use of such credit depend on current university and program rules.

Before enrolling, students can compare prior courses with Ferris transfer-equivalency information and request an official evaluation. The crucial question is not just how many credits transfer, but how many satisfy major, general-education, and graduation requirements. Students entering a selective program should also check prerequisite grades, application stages, and any minimum number of credits that must be completed through Ferris.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Ferris State University?

Ferris State students interested in study abroad should explore university-approved international study options early enough to fit them into their degree plan. The available destinations, formats, and academic departments can change from year to year.

A short-term, faculty-led course may fit differently into a schedule than a semester program run with a partner or outside provider. Before committing, students need written guidance on academic approval, how credits will count, program costs, travel documents, and whether their particular scholarships or federal aid can be used. Students in tightly sequenced majors should pay special attention to courses offered only once a year and to clinical or laboratory requirements.

Ferris State University Admissions Factors

SAT range
890–1120
4001600
ACT range
20–24
136
Acceptance rate
91%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
91%
Michigan
80.5%
US
78%

15% of admitted students enrolled (1,677 of 11,387)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 6-11
ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Ferris State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 12,460
Admission
Total: 11,387
Enrolled
Total: 1,677
Women
Men

How to Apply to Ferris State University

Regular application deadline

August 1

Early Decision

No

Ferris State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,552
Out-of-state: 108
International: 22

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,692
Transfer: 817

Ferris State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1040

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1.27%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

72.65%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Considered but not required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Considered but not required

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Ferris State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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