Ferris State University, established in 1884, was founded by an educator, Woodbridge Ferris. The central campus of the university is located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The secondary campus is found in Grand Rapids. Ferris has more than 10,000 students and offers over 170 degree programs. Ferris consists of 8 separate colleges:
Ferris State University's sports teams are known by the name Bulldogs. The university's teams participate in wrestling, golf and hockey. Project Engineer Jeffrey M Orkisz, head football coach Butch Jones, news anchor Dana King and former NFL Linebacker Monty Brown are a few notable alumni of the university.
Ferris State is found in Big Rapids, MI. Big Rapids is a town not particularly near any major cities. The school is a public institution. Students can earn degrees up to and including the Doctoral degree at Ferris State.
The range of program offerings available from the school is especially impressive compared to its number of students. Ferris State is known for its programs in real estate and construction management, engineering technician, security and law enforcement, and mechanics and repair.
Admission to the school is not automatic; not everyone who applies gets in.
Ferris State has a tenure system for senior faculty.
Students numbered 13,087 in 2007-2008 at the school.
A lot of students at Ferris State attend part-time. The school offers dorm rooms to a higher percentage of its students than do most colleges. Ferris State values student athletics, and belongs to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The school reports its educational mission is:
"Ferris State University will be a national leader in providing opportunities for innovative teaching and learning in career-oriented, technological and professional education."
More complete details are provided below.
Ferris State University
1201 S State St
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2251
General Phone: (231) 591-2000
http://www.ferris.edu/
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Management | 543 | business management, operations management, marketing, hospitality marketing, accounting technology, sales, entrepreneurship, accounting, ... |
| Engineering Technician | 531 | energy systems tech, construction engineering tech, surveying tech, plastics engineering tech, mechanical engineering tech, automotive tech, architectural engineering tech, quality control tech, ... |
| Security and Law Enforcement | 281 | criminal justice and police, criminal justice and administration |
| Medical Support and Technology | 262 | respiratory care tech, dental hygienist, radiation therapist, nuclear medical tech, phlebotomy, clinical lab tech, sonography and ultrasound tech, medical lab tech, ... |
| Education and Teaching | 230 | elementary school teaching, technical teaching, curriculum and instruction, English teaching, social studies teaching, history teaching, biology teaching, math teaching, ... |
| Medicine | 169 | pharmacy, optometry, medical preparatory |
| Mechanics and Repair | 150 | automobile mechanics, heavy equipment maintenance, industrial electronics tech, autobody repair |
| Science | 130 | biology, biological and physical sciences, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental biology |
| Medical Administration | 122 | health care administration, medical records tech, medical records admin, medical office assistant |
| Nursing and Emergency Medicine | 113 | registered nursing, nursing administration, various nursing |
| Media | 108 | advertising, radio and TV tech, public relations, animation and special effects, printing management, desktop publishing and imaging, printing equipment operation, communication studies |
| Design | 95 | design and visual communication, graphic design, industrial design, design and applied arts |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 74 | information technology, computer security, database administration |
| Real Estate and Construction Management | 73 | construction management, real estate |
| Liberal Arts | 70 | speech and rhetoric, liberal arts and humanities, history, technical and business writing, sociology, English language and literature |
| Family and Social Work | 58 | social work, child care management, public administration |
| Architecture and Planning | 51 | interior architecture |
| Production Trades | 47 | welding, tool and die tech |
| Photography and Commercial Art | 29 | commercial art, photography |
| Office and Administration | 28 | office management |
| Fine Arts | 28 | fine arts, sculpture, art history and criticism, painting |
| Therapy and Counseling | 24 | psychology |
| Hospitality | 24 | hospitality management, hotel management |
| Music | 20 | music management |
| Law | 17 | legal assistant |
| Nutrition and Exercise Therapy | 12 | parks and recreation management |
| Landscaping and Horticulture | 11 | ornamental horticulture |
| Cooking and Culinary Arts | 10 | restaurant and catering management, culinary arts services |
| Mathematics | 8 | applied mathematics, statistics, mathematics |
| Science and Laboratory Technician | 7 | chemical tech |
Number of programs and degrees for Ferris State in 2008-2009:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 1,883 | 84 |
| Associate's degree | 867 | 37 |
| Award of less than 1 academic year | 227 | 27 |
| Doctor's degree - professional practice | 160 | 2 |
| Master's degree | 144 | 7 |
| Postbaccalaureate certificate | 43 | 6 |
| Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 1 |
In 2007-2008, Ferris State had a total enrollment of 13,087 students (11,607 full-time equivalent).
Students in the Freshman Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Men | 53% |
| Women | 47% |
| Full-Time | 98% |
| Part-Time | 2% |
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 89% |
| Graduate | 11% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 81% |
| Black | 7% |
| Hispanic | 2% |
| Asian | 2% |
| American Indian | 1% |
| Unknown | 6% |
| (Foreign Students) | 1% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 2% |
| 18-19 | 24% |
| 20-21 | 26% |
| 22-24 | 24% |
| 25-29 | 10% |
| 30-34 | 4% |
| 35-39 | 3% |
| 40-49 | 5% |
| 50-64 | 2% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 96% |
| Illinois | 1% |
| (International Students) | 1% |
| Indiana | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 70 % |
| Part-Time | 38 % |
Ferris State offers campus housing for 3,837 of its 11,607 (full-time) students. Freshmen are required to live on campus.
(Please refer to our profile of Big Rapids, Michigan for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Michigan Colleges).
The school does not offer students a meal plan.
Acceptances:
| Group | Applicants | Accepted | Percent Accepted | Enrolled | Percent of Accepted Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 11,767 | 6,524 | 55% | 2,139 | 33% |
| Men | 5,496 | 2,924 | 53% | 1,133 | 39% |
| Women | 6,271 | 3,600 | 57% | 1,006 | 28% |
Standardized Test Scores:
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percetile |
|---|---|---|
| ACT Verbal | 17 | 23 |
| ACT Math | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 24 |
Application Requirements:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPA | required |
| Class Rank | not required |
| High School Record | required |
| College Prep Program | recommended |
| Recommendations | not required |
| Formal Demonstration of Competence | not required |
| Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT) | required |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT | 98% |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | required |
| Other Standardized Tests | not required |
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 9,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 15,900 |
| Room and board | $ 7,944 |
| Room charge | $ 4,086 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 3,908 |
| Books and supplies | $ 1,100 |
| Other expenses | $ 2,002 |
Financial Aid:
Ferris State participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 226000)
Ferris State has a tenure system for faculty.
Tenure Status of Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Tenured | 231 | 105 |
| Non-tenured, but on tenure track | 74 | 64 |
| Non-tenured and not on tenure track | 47 | 55 |
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 19 | $105,356 | 4 | $110,243 |
| Associate professor | calendar year | 5 | $85,551 | 10 | $89,713 |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 6 | $83,326 | 9 | $81,009 |
| Instructor | calendar year | 1 | * | 0 | * |
| No academic rank | calendar year | 9 | $64,975 | 9 | $82,453 |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 40 | $89,991 | 32 | $87,789 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 123 | $80,171 | 34 | $77,763 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 81 | $66,055 | 48 | $63,491 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 63 | $58,452 | 59 | $54,868 |
| Instructor | academic year | 6 | $47,472 | 4 | $48,490 |
| No academic rank | academic year | 27 | $36,083 | 27 | $38,890 |
| All faculty total | academic year | 300 | $67,177 | 172 | $59,144 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Athletic Conferences:
| Sport | Conference |
|---|---|
| Football | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Basketball | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Track | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 121 | 91 | 212 |
| Football | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| Basketball | 9 | 12 | 21 |
| Track | 2 | 11 | 13 |
| All Other Sports | 39 | 68 | 107 |
ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Interior Architecture
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
Accounting and Finance
Business Administration and Management, General
E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Finance, General
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing Operations
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
Information Resources Management/CIO Training
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Marketing Research
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Operations Management and Supervision
Selling Skills and Sales Operations
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer and Information Systems Security
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
Information Technology
COOKING AND CULINARY ARTS
Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
DESIGN
Design and Applied Arts, Other
Design and Visual Communications, General
Graphic Design
Industrial Design
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Art Teacher Education
Biology Teacher Education
Business Teacher Education
Chemistry Teacher Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Education, Other
Elementary Education and Teaching
English/Language Arts Teacher Education
Health Teacher Education
History Teacher Education
Mathematics Teacher Education
Social Studies Teacher Education
Technical Teacher Education
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician
Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
Civil Engineering Technology/Technician
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Energy Management and Systems Technology/Technician
Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology
Heating/AC/Refrigeration Technology/Technician
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other
Industrial Technology/Technician
Manufacturing Technology/Technician
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician
Plastics Engineering Technology/Technician
Quality Control Technology/Technician
Surveying Technology/Surveying
Telecommunications Technology/Technician
FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Child Care and Support Services Management
Public Administration
Social Work
FINE ARTS
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Fine/Studio Arts, General
Painting
Sculpture
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality Administration/Management, General
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
LANDSCAPING AND HORTICULTURE
Ornamental Horticulture
LIBERAL ARTS
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
History, General
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other
Sociology
Speech and Rhetorical Studies
Technical and Business Writing
MATHEMATICS
Applied Mathematics
Mathematics, General
Statistics, General
MECHANICS AND REPAIR
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician
Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician
MEDIA
Advertising
Animation, Interactive Tech, Video Graphics and Special Effects
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
Printing Management
Public Relations/Image Management
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer & Ultrasound Technician
Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist
Phlebotomy/Phlebotomist
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
MEDICINE
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other
Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD [USA], PharmD or BS/BPharm [Canada])
MUSIC
Music Management and Merchandising
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Nursing Administration (MSN, MS, PhD)
Nursing, Other
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION
Office Management and Supervision
PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMMERCIAL ART
Commercial and Advertising Art
Photography
PRODUCTION TRADES
Tool and Die Technology/Technician
Welding Technology/Welder
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Construction Management
Real Estate
SCIENCE
Biological and Physical Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Biotechnology
Chemistry, General
Environmental Biology
SCIENCE AND LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Chemical Technology/Technician
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
Criminal Justice/Police Science
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Ferris State Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of degree programs (vs. all colleges) | Top 2% | ![]() ![]() |
| Number of students (vs. all colleges) | Top 5% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in design (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 8% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in mechanics and repair (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 11% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in real estate and construction management (vs. all colleges) | Top 11% | ![]() |
| % of freshmen enrolled part-time (vs. all colleges) | Top 12% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in medical administration (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 13% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in security and law enforcement (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 14% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in engineering technician (vs. all colleges) | Top 14% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in medicine (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 17% | ![]() |
| Male % of student body (vs. all colleges) | Top 17% | ![]() |
| Dorm rooms per full-time student (vs. all colleges) | Top 17% | ![]() |
Notable:
Accepts some high school credits
Offers credit for life experience
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Career services
Student employment services
On-campus day care
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Tenure system for quality teaching
Has ROTC (army)
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member
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