Ferris State University

Big Rapids is a classic college town where 38% of students live on campus (US News) and 86% report feeling 'extremely safe' (Niche). The vibe is scrappy and communal: Instagram posts from @ferrislife highlight DIY events like 'Bulldog Bingo' and tailgates, while residence halls enforce quiet hours and offer study spaces (Ferris State’s housing site). Off-campus, the surrounding forests and rivers cater to outdoorsy types. Sports are a unifier—the D1 hockey team is a point of pride—but the social scene leans more on 'friendly and welcoming' (CollegeVine) than Greek life (just 5% of students join sororities/fraternities, per US News).

Ferris State punches above its weight in ROI: 93% of students feel confident about job prospects (Ferris State News), and alumni report a median salary of $62,890 five years post-graduation—well above the national average. That said, outcomes vary by major. The six-year graduation rate is 63% (Varsity Tutors), but four-year completers earn $47,339 median salaries (US News). Debt is a concern, with grads averaging $31,700 in loans (US News), though this is below the national average. The school’s strongest selling point? Employers love its trades-focused grads—especially in engineering and healthcare.

Ferris State is a bargain by Michigan standards, with a net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $13,978 after aid (College Board) and 68% of students receiving financial assistance. The sticker price ($27,048) is slashed by an average aid package of $22,060, heavily weighted toward grants (Kolly AI). Low-income students pay as little as $8,624 net (Kolly AI), and the school’s net price calculator emphasizes affordability for first-gen?First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students. One caveat: aid drops sharply for families earning over $110K, who pay around $20,942 (Tuition Tracker).

Ferris State is Michigan’s best-kept secret for trades and applied sciences, where welding labs and pharmacy simulations trump ivory-tower theorizing. Its 91% acceptance rate makes it a refuge for B/C students, but its top-tier vocational programs (plastics engineering, criminal justice) deliver salaries that rival elite schools. The vibe is unpretentious, communal, and fiercely practical—a place where you’ll bond over hockey games and hands-on labs, not seminar debates. For students who want a job-first education without crushing debt, it’s a rare find.