Ferris State vs Michigan State University (MSU)
Ferris State University and Michigan State University, both esteemed institutions in Michigan, offer distinct educational experiences. Ferris State, known for its career-focused programs, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a wider range of students. Its popular majors include Construction, Engineering Technology, and Health Sciences. Michigan State, a Big Ten research university, has a more selective admissions process with a 70% acceptance rate. It excels in fields like Business, Engineering, and Social Sciences. While Ferris State's student body is predominantly White (75%) and undergraduate (92%), Michigan State's student population is more diverse, with a larger graduate student population (28%) and a higher percentage of international students (13%). Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Ferris State at 58% and Michigan State at 78%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and
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![]() Ferris State University |
![]() Michigan State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Big Rapids, Michigan | East Lansing, Michigan |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 77.0% | 92.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.8% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 930 - 1150 | 1100 - 1320 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 66.0% | 48.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,480 | 50,630 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,884 | 42,150 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,405 | 9,225 |
Yield rate | 15.8% | 21.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $24,285 |
In state:
$29,734
Out of state:
$55,546
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Average net price | $13,624 | $8,738 |
Tuition | $12,740 |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,450
Meal plan:
$4,678
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Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
90.0%
Average amount $10,575 |
58.0%
Average amount $12,822 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
54.0%
Average amount $5,319 |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $12,922 |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,248
Men 47.2% Women 52.8% |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
Graduate students |
1,113
Men 34.2% Women 65.8% |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 6.6% | 18.7% |
International students | 1.4% | 8.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,312 | 17,463 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Florida Indiana Wisconsin | Michigan Illinois California Ohio New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.7% | 82.1% |
Dropout rate | 39.2% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | 10.5% | 9.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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