Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Big Rapids, Michigan
80.6% Acceptance Rate
Ferris State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80.6%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
1001Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$26,066Annual Cost
$54,735Grad Salary
33.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80.6%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
1001
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
890–1120
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Avg Net Price
$12,202
Need-Based Aid
33.6% receive Pell
Ferris State University is a public institution in Michigan known for its commitment to academic excellence, hands-on learning, and career preparation. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including many specialized technical and professional fields the university provides a supportive campus environment that fosters professional success. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value, and career-relevant education makes it a reliable choice for students.
Ferris State University Acceptance Rate
Ferris State University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 80.6%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 80.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Ferris State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Ferris State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of March 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 225 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Ferris State University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2027) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Ferris State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Ferris State University is 3.3. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.50-3.70 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.00 and 3.3, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Ferris State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Ferris State University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.3, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Public university based in Big Rapids, MI; founded 1884; test-optional general admission with average admitted GPA reported around 3.3.
- PharmD program targets 120 admitted seats annually each Fall; minimum 32 semester hours of math/science prerequisites required with a 2.50 prerequisite GPA floor and C-or-better in each prerequisite course.
- Grand Valley State University maintains a SEPARATE, distinct Guaranteed Early Admissions Program (GEAP) with Ferris's College of Pharmacy reserving up to 10 seats annually specifically for GVSU students - a parallel but different pathway from Ferris's own GEAR program, worth not confusing if a family is considering GVSU as an undergraduate stepping stone.
- PharmD interview format includes a face-to-face interview (30-60 minutes), an on-site extemporaneous written essay with the question provided only at the interview, and a curriculum overview/Q&A - a multi-component interview day, not a single conversational interview.
- The Rigor Metric: At Ferris State University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Ferris State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Ferris State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ferris State University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Ferris State University Without SAT or ACT?
Ferris State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Ferris State University Average SAT Score: 1001
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Ferris State University is 1001 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1001 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1001 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Ferris State University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 890, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Ferris State University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 495 | 440 | 550 |
| SAT Reading | 510 | 450 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1001 | 890 | 1120 |
It means that if you have scored less than 890 then you are below most of the admitted students at Ferris State University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1120 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Ferris State University with a 1100 SAT?
With a 1100 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Ferris State University are good but the admission staff at Ferris State University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Ferris State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Ferris State University is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Ferris State University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 22 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into Ferris State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Ferris State University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Ferris State University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Ferris State University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Ferris State University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 26 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Ferris State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Ferris State University is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Decide between standard PharmD admission and the Guaranteed Early Admission Route (GEAR) as early as possible - GEAR reserves a seat 2-3 YEARS before enrollment
Ferris's College of Pharmacy offers GEAR, an alternate pathway specifically for highly qualified high school seniors OR current college students just beginning pre-pharmacy coursework, that reserves a pharmacy school seat years in advance and streamlines the eventual PharmCAS application. GEAR requires a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school GPA used if it's the student's first semester of college) and is explicitly NOT meant for students planning to start pharmacy school imminently - it's a long-horizon commitment tool. A family with a strong 9th-11th grade student already interested in pharmacy should investigate GEAR specifically rather than waiting until senior year to think about pharmacy admissions, since the entire point of the program is securing a seat years ahead of the standard competitive cycle.
Use the College of Health Professions' explicit 2.7 GPA + 18 ACT composite threshold to secure DIRECT placement - avoiding the "pre-professional" holding pattern entirely
Ferris explicitly states that incoming freshmen meeting a 2.7 GPA AND an 18 ACT composite are placed DIRECTLY into a College of Health Professions Bachelor's/Associate's pre-degree program, while students below this threshold enter as general pre-professional students who must later qualify and then apply separately to the professional sequence. Since pre-professional students are admitted to programs "based on the semester they qualify and then by the date they selected their program upon admission," hitting this 2.7/18 threshold specifically can save real time by skipping a holding-pattern stage entirely - worth highlighting to a borderline student that a modest ACT score increase could change their admission category meaningfully.
Apply by June 1 for pharmacy specifically to capture a guaranteed $2,500 scholarship - a concrete, dated, stackable incentive separate from general admission timing
Ferris's College of Pharmacy offers an explicit $2,500 scholarship to any Fall 2026 applicant who applies by June 1, 2026 AND completes all admission steps, if admitted - a clean, calendar-specific incentive independent of GPA tiers or essay quality. Since Ferris pharmacy uses rolling admissions with 120 total seats and a wait list once full, applying by June 1 serves double duty: it maximizes seat availability AND captures guaranteed scholarship money, making it one of the clearest "apply early, no downside" recommendations in this entire research batch.
Treat foreign academic credit as fully non-transferable for pre-pharmacy prerequisites - with Canada as the sole, explicit exception
Ferris's pharmacy admissions page states plainly that foreign academic credits CANNOT be used to meet pre-pharmacy requirements, with Canadian academic institutions specifically named as the only exception. An international or recently-immigrated student with strong foreign science coursework should not assume credential evaluation services (like WES) will satisfy Ferris's PharmD prerequisites - those courses will need to be retaken at a US (or Canadian) institution regardless of how they evaluate on paper, a much harder line than Ferris's general transfer credit policy for non-pharmacy programs.
Expert Insight:
Ferris's overall reputation as a highly accessible, "nearly open admission" university (acceptance rates commonly cited above 90%) creates a dangerously misleading impression for families targeting Pharmacy or other professional programs - Niche reviews from actual Ferris pharmacy/welding-program students explicitly describe the university overall as "very easy" to enroll in while specific professional programs are "difficult." A family should mentally separate "Ferris is easy to get into" (true for general admission) from "Ferris's Pharmacy/Optometry/PT programs are competitive" (also true) - these are not contradictory facts, but treating the university's headline acceptance rate as informative about program-specific difficulty is a real and common misread.
Ferris State University Profile
Full Name
Ferris State University
City
Big Rapids
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
49307-2251
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Ferris State University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Ferris State University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Ferris State University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Ferris State University is $61,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.83%.
How much does a degree from Ferris State University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Ferris State University is $26,066. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Ferris State University is $12,202.
33.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 47 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Ferris State University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Ferris State University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Ferris State University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Ferris State University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $54,735. An average Ferris State University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ferris State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City, IA | 980 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ferris State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ferris State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Ferris State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Ferris State University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $54,735 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $26,066 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
33.6% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Ferris State University is 80.6% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.3. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.9 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.3, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Ferris State University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1001 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 890–1120.
The application deadline for Ferris State University is March 1. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship priority deadline is March 1, 2027. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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