About Ferrum College
Ferrum College builds its reputation around agriculture and equestrian programs in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The school enrolls 745 students in a rural setting that emphasizes hands-on learning and outdoor experiences. Students come here for programs that connect directly to the land and animals, with the college maintaining working farms and horse facilities right on campus. The United Methodist-affiliated institution has served rural Virginia since 1913.
Money matters tell a mixed story at Ferrum. Students pay an average net price of $22,085 after aid, less than the sticker price of $52,550. However, graduates earn a median salary of $44,296 ten years after graduation and carry $27,000 in debt. The loan repayment rate sits at just 47%, suggesting many alumni struggle financially after leaving. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many low-income families.
Athletics dominate campus life with 446 students participating in 17 varsity sports as Division III Panthers. That means nearly 60% of students compete athletically. The retention rate of 59% and graduation rate of 29% suggest many students find the rural environment and academic demands challenging. The student body skews male at 62% and draws primarily from Virginia at 71% in-state enrollment.
Money matters tell a mixed story at Ferrum. Students pay an average net price of $22,085 after aid, less than the sticker price of $52,550. However, graduates earn a median salary of $44,296 ten years after graduation and carry $27,000 in debt. The loan repayment rate sits at just 47%, suggesting many alumni struggle financially after leaving. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many low-income families.
Athletics dominate campus life with 446 students participating in 17 varsity sports as Division III Panthers. That means nearly 60% of students compete athletically. The retention rate of 59% and graduation rate of 29% suggest many students find the rural environment and academic demands challenging. The student body skews male at 62% and draws primarily from Virginia at 71% in-state enrollment.
Academics & Faculty
Ferrum College operates as a private liberal arts institution known for its agriculture and equestrian programs, serving students who want hands-on learning in rural Virginia. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means small classes where professors know every student personally. However, the 28.9% six-year graduation rate and 58.6% retention rate reveal that many students struggle to complete their degrees. The college draws from its Methodist heritage and rural setting to offer programs in agriculture, veterinary science, and outdoor recreation. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship but face academic challenges that prevent many from reaching graduation.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 28.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 28.9%
- Retention Rate
- 58.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $44,296
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $30,771 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $29,322 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $24,035 |
Campus Life
Ferrum sits in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, about an hour from Roanoke and two hours from Richmond. You'll need both a winter coat and sunscreen here, as the mountain location brings real seasonal changes with snowy winters and warm, humid summers. With housing capacity for 1,293 students and total enrollment of just 745, nearly everyone can live on campus if they choose, creating a tight-knit residential community.
The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, not just your student ID number. With 446 athletes among 745 total students, nearly 60% of the campus competes in one of 17 varsity sports, making Panthers games major social events. The college's Methodist heritage shows in its emphasis on service and community values. Students often spend weekends exploring the surrounding mountains, attending campus events, or heading to nearby Smith Mountain Lake. The rural setting means entertainment options center around campus life rather than city attractions. Agriculture and equestrian programs give the campus a distinctly rural character that sets it apart from typical suburban colleges.
The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, not just your student ID number. With 446 athletes among 745 total students, nearly 60% of the campus competes in one of 17 varsity sports, making Panthers games major social events. The college's Methodist heritage shows in its emphasis on service and community values. Students often spend weekends exploring the surrounding mountains, attending campus events, or heading to nearby Smith Mountain Lake. The rural setting means entertainment options center around campus life rather than city attractions. Agriculture and equestrian programs give the campus a distinctly rural character that sets it apart from typical suburban colleges.
- Setting
- Rural-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 1,293 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1913
Campus Safety (2023)
20 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 26°–47°F
- July Avg
- 64°–86°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 12.6"
Student Demographics
Ferrum draws a largely regional student body, with 71% coming from Virginia and surrounding states. The college attracts students seeking a close-knit agricultural and equestrian community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Men outnumber women nearly two to one, reflecting the school's strong agriculture, outdoor recreation, and career-focused programs that traditionally draw more male students. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing Ferrum's commitment to serving working-class families in rural Virginia. The diverse racial makeup includes significant representation from Black and Hispanic students, unusual for rural Virginia colleges.
- Men
- 62.0%
- Women
- 38.0%
- White
- 47.9%
- Black
- 21.5%
- Hispanic
- 7.0%
- Asian
- 0.5%
- In-State Students
- 70.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 46.5%
Location
Ferrum College sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia, about 45 miles north of Roanoke. The 745-student campus occupies 700 acres of rolling farmland in Franklin County. This rural setting defines the college experience, with the nearest town of Rocky Mount just 15 minutes away but offering limited amenities. The mountain location provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and supports the college's strong agriculture and equestrian programs. About 71% of students come from Virginia, many drawn to the small-town atmosphere. The isolation means students form tight-knit communities but may feel disconnected from urban opportunities. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Ferrum College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Ferrum, Virginia 24088-9000
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $44,296
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $46,432
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $28,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 47.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Ferrum College?
Ferrum College accepts 84.3% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1005. The college provides accessible higher education opportunities in rural Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.
How much does Ferrum College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $22,085 annually, less than the full cost of $52,550. The United Methodist college offers institutional grants averaging $26,580 to 27% of students.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Ferrum College?
Ferrum maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 745 students enrolled. This small liberal arts environment allows for personalized attention in agriculture, equestrian studies, and other programs.
What are the graduation rates at Ferrum College?
Only 29% of students graduate within six years, with median earnings of $44,296 ten years after enrollment. The college's rural setting and specialized programs attract students seeking hands-on learning experiences.
Where is Ferrum College located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in rural Ferrum, Virginia with housing for up to 1,293 students. Men comprise 62% of the student body, and 71% of students come from Virginia.
Does Ferrum College have strong athletic programs?
The Panthers compete in NCAA Division III with 17 varsity sports and 446 total athletes. Nearly 60% of the student body participates in athletics, making it central to campus culture.
