Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 48.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 47.9%
- Retention Rate
- 72.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,735
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 58.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $123,608 | $103,000 |
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $97,071 | $144,874 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $81,498 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $74,576 | $19,594 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $74,122 | $23,451 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $69,535 | $23,500 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $67,240 | |
| Manufacturing Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,941 | $16,052 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Bachelor | $65,905 | $23,250 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $64,837 | $20,468 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $62,111 | $18,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,176 | $21,411 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $27,444 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $55,693 | $12,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Ferris State graduates earn a median salary of $54,735 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 with typical debt loads of $21,000. Monthly loan payments of $223 represent about 4.9% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 96.8% employment rate reflects strong industry connections, particularly in automotive technology and pharmacy where Ferris has built deep relationships with Michigan employers. Many graduates enter technical fields, healthcare, and business roles that value hands-on training over theoretical knowledge. Despite the modest 47.9% six-year graduation rate, completers find solid career prospects. This represents an average return on investment for students who finish their programs.