Ferris State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Ferris State University charges a net price of $8,624/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $34,496. Graduates earn a median $54,735 ten years after entry, $6,375/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.4 years — a 20-year net return of $93,004, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Ferris State University's 5.4-year payback ranks #465 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 64% of them, and #10 of 85 in Michigan.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $8,624/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $34,496 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,735 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,375/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $93,004 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Ferris State University's own numbers. Net price $8,624 × 4 years = $34,496 total. Median earnings $54,735 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,375 a year of premium. $34,496 ÷ $6,375 = 5.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $93,004. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Ferris State University students graduate with?
A median $21,000 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $54,735 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Ferris State University students graduate?
47% finish their degree — 53% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $34,496 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $73,396 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Ferris State University expensive compared with other Michigan colleges?
Its $8,624 net price runs $5,677 below the $14,301 median across the 85 Michigan colleges we profile, and $22,708 less across the full degree.