Ferris State University
Ferris State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ferris State University at a Glance
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge N. Ferris and became a public institution in 1950. The university also has a satellite campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1884
142 years old
$132M
$131.9 million (2025)
9,959
584
880 acres
Identity
Is Ferris State University Worth It?
Ferris State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $8,624/year, it's priced 58% below average, while graduates go on to earn $54,735 — 2% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Ferris State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Ferris State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #13 of 131 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #13 | Ferris State University | 75 | $8,624 | $54,735 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Ferris State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in MI.
Best Programs at Ferris State University
The highest-earning program at Ferris State University is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at $72,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $20,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduate from Ferris State University earns $72,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $20,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,624/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $72,300 | $72,300 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $67,200 | $67,200 | $24,697 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $65,500 | $65,500 | $27,950 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $63,900 | $63,900 | $26,880 |
| Construction Management | $62,300 | $62,300 | $19,700 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,700 | $59,700 | $23,990 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | $59,600 | $59,600 | $18,750 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies | $58,300 | $58,300 | N/A |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $53,800 | $53,800 | $27,575 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,400 | $51,400 | $18,454 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $51,100 | $51,100 | $30,958 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $50,500 | $50,500 | $22,700 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $45,400 | $45,400 | $27,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,200 | $44,200 | $21,449 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $22,015 |
| Marketing | $41,400 | $41,400 | $25,500 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $39,500 | $39,500 | $23,655 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $37,900 | $37,900 | $30,190 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,700 | $35,700 | $20,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,690 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,600 | $32,600 | $24,250 |
| Graphic Communications | $32,500 | $32,500 | $24,375 |
| Social Work | $31,700 | $31,700 | $25,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,615 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,000 | $29,000 | $27,130 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $28,500 | $28,500 | $28,311 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $24,200 | $24,200 | $29,238 |
| Psychology, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $26,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,900 | $23,900 | N/A |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $23,100 | $23,100 | $26,900 |
| Biology, General | $20,400 | $20,400 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Big Rapids, MI
- Student Body
- 8,106 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,624
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,735
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000