Ferris State University was first opened in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, a Democratic statesman. After several name changes, Ferris State officially became a comprehensive four-year public teaching institution in 1987. Today, FSU enrolls more than 13,400 undergraduates and 1,100 post-graduates across its eight academic colleges. Ferris State University is located on a main 880-acre rural campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. Featuring a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, Ferris State also offers off-campus learning in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Traverse City, Dowagiac, and online from anywhere.
According to the U.S. News, Ferris State University is ranked the 61st best regional school, 15th top public college, and 46th best college for veterans in the Midwest. In particular, FSU is lauded for having America's 49th best online bachelor's programs, 65th best online graduate business degrees, and 69th best online graduate nursing programs. Consistently, Ferris State is included in the Princeton Review's "Best in the Midwest" list. Washington Monthly magazine has named Ferris State University the 498th best master's-level institution in the United States for social mobility. Ferris was also crowned a "Military Friendly" school by GI Jobs.
Ferris State University Accreditation Details
For the maximum 10 years, Ferris State University has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). FSU colleges have pursued 27 discipline-specific accreditations. Business programs are accredited by the elite Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Nursing degrees meet the standards of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Engineering degrees have approval by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Other notable accreditations include the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Chemical Society (ACS), and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Ferris State University Application Requirements
With an acceptance rate of 78 percent, Ferris State University has a selective admissions process. First-year students must be graduating from an approved secondary school, be homeschooled, or pass the GED test. Having at least 16 units of college-prep coursework is mandatory. Most programs require freshmen to possess a minimum high school GPA of 2.5, but the average is 3.21. Applicants taking the ACT should score at least 16 on English, 19 on Math, and 19 on Reading. For the SAT, students must score at least 430 on Reading, 460 on Math, and 370 on Writing.
Undergraduate students can enter Ferris State's unique "laddering system" by transferring at least 12 credits from another regionally accredited college. Incoming transfers must be eligible to return to their previous school and carry a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.0. ACT or SAT scores are still required until transfers are 23 or older. For online graduate programs, Ferris applicants must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. Graduate students should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their junior and senior-level coursework. International learners must score at least 70 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS.
Before the July 1st and December 1st deadlines, students applying to Ferris State University must submit the following online:
• Completed application form
• Official transcripts from every school
• Standardized testing score reports
• One to three letters of recommendation
• Brief personal essay or writing sample
• Proof of English language proficiency
• $30 non-refundable application fee
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time freshmen and sophomores from Michigan are charged $10,696 per academic year. Non-resident lower-division students will pay $16,044 annually for full-time enrollment. Juniors and seniors living in Michigan must afford $10,976 each full-time year. Out-of-state upper-division students are billed $16,464 yearly. At the graduate level, Michigan residents will pay $527 per credit hour. Non-resident graduate students must afford $790 per credit hour. Doctoral candidates have a flat-rate tuition of $620 per credit. Online courses require students to pay the $10 online learning fee per credit hour.
Around 94 percent of beginning full-time Ferris students obtain financial aid. Students can borrow federal aid with the Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Perkins, or Grad PLUS loans, but they must be repaid. Free gift aid is available with the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. In-state students could benefit from the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP). There's also the Ferris Merit Grant. Online learners could qualify for employer tuition reimbursement. Scholarships are abundant, including the Woodbridge N. Ferris Scholarship, Ferris Bulldog Award, Great Lake Scholarship, Transfer Student Scholarship, President's Scholarship, and Military Veteran Scholarship.
Online Degrees Available
Through Ferris Online, students can receive the same high-quality education from the same experienced faculty without commuting to campus. Currently, Ferris State University offers 10 bachelor's, four master's, and 17 certificate programs fully online. Coursework is accessible 24/7 via Blackboard to accommodate busy working professionals. All students attend an Online Readiness Orientation/Tutorial to learn proper "Netiquette." Students may be interested in the:
B.S. in Health Information Management
Fully accredited by the CAHIIM, the B.S. in Health Information Management program is delivered fully online by Ferris State to prepare students for analyzing, organizing, and securing electronic health records. The program fulfills the qualifications needed to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) through the AHIMA. Within the 131-credit curriculum, students will take courses in medical terminology, database design, healthcare law, quality management, CPT coding, and reimbursement. Two professional practice experiences are arranged in students' hometowns.
B.S. in Automotive Management
At Ferris State University, the online B.S. in Automotive Management program equips students with the cutting-edge leadership skills to assume managerial positions at car dealerships, repair centers, manufacturing firms, and more. As a 2+2 program, students must have already completed an associate's degree in an automotive or heavy equipment-related major. The 65-credit curriculum covers topics from customer relations to automotive accounting and auto marketing. Students can also participate in the university's co-op program with GM or Ford.
B.S. in Business Administration
Consisting of 121 total credits, the B.S. in Business Administration program at FSU is designed to build a broad foundation in key business disciplines for competing in today's global economy. Most online students already have an associate's degree and treat the B.S. as a degree completion program. Courses will explore topics in accounting, finance, business information systems, applied management, marketing, operations management, statistics, and international business. There's a Professional Track Concentration or Business Administration Concentration.
Is it Better to Get a Master's Degree Online or at a Traditional University?
Other online degrees at Ferris State University include the B.S. in Dental Hygiene, B.S. in HVACR Engineering Technology, Master of Public Health, and Nursing RN to MSN.