College ROI

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Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI 8,106 Undergrads 59.9% Grad Rate
School Website|Financial Calculator
Share
Total Cost
$27,048
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$8,624
After Aid
Median Earnings
$64,721
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$8,624
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$64,721
Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$54,735
Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate59.9%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age23.2
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients36.9%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time80.9%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS75.2%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
91.4%
SAT Avg
1,012
SAT Reading
25th: 46052575th: 570
SAT Math
25th: 43051575th: 550
ACT Composite
25th: 202375th: 24

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$573k
+$106k
+$89k
Median Cost$9k/yr
+$542k
+$75k
+$58k
Full Cost$27k/yr
+$476k
+$9k
-$9k

ROI Efficiency Metrics
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
33
∞
Median Cost$9k/yr
39
186%
Full Cost$27k/yr
Never
-9%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return81%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-30%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$18,325
Earnings (4yr)
$70,160
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
+$289k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,391
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$88,737
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
+$470k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$28,796
Earnings (4yr)
$59,890
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
+$187k
Median Debt
$17,626
Earnings (4yr)
$63,493
Natl Median: $61,907
Lifetime Value Added
+$224k
Insurance
CertCIP: 5217
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,539
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,496
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Journalism
CertCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,137
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $84,309
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
CertCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,757
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,204
Earnings (4yr)
$82,512
Natl Median: $54,024
Lifetime Value Added
+$409k
Median Debt
$18,439
Earnings (4yr)
$79,641
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$382k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,763
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,594
Earnings (4yr)
$85,477
Natl Median: $62,511
Lifetime Value Added
+$438k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,975
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$24,479
Earnings (4yr)
$83,989
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$424k

Associate's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (4yr)
$60,809
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$136k
Median Debt
$14,000
Earnings (4yr)
$62,985
Natl Median: $55,767
Lifetime Value Added
+$156k
Median Debt
$18,853
Earnings (4yr)
$58,134
Natl Median: $50,181
Lifetime Value Added
+$111k
Median Debt
$16,500
Earnings (4yr)
$57,164
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$102k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$86,284
Natl Median: $64,519
Lifetime Value Added
+$366k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
AssocCIP: 1510
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (4yr)
$83,536
Natl Median: $71,367
Lifetime Value Added
+$342k
Median Debt
$18,357
Earnings (4yr)
$54,494
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$76k
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$40,056
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$67k
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$59,590
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$125k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$45,167
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$25k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,303
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$67,913
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
+$201k
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,241
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$85,148
Natl Median: $66,570
Lifetime Value Added
+$356k
Median Debt
$10,625
Earnings (4yr)
$66,719
Natl Median: $55,148
Lifetime Value Added
+$191k
Median Debt
$11,678
Earnings (4yr)
$45,033
Natl Median: $36,221
Lifetime Value Added
-$17k
Median Debt
$24,950
Earnings (4yr)
$43,828
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$29k
Median Debt
$17,500
Earnings (4yr)
$58,334
Natl Median: $48,027
Lifetime Value Added
+$113k
Median Debt
$17,995
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4703
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (4yr)
$75,106
Natl Median: $69,017
Lifetime Value Added
+$266k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$36,662
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$101k
Median Debt
$16,750
Earnings (4yr)
$81,624
Natl Median: $73,593
Lifetime Value Added
+$325k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,719
Earnings (4yr)
$45,889
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$8k
Marketing
AssocCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$45,024
Natl Median: $44,264
Lifetime Value Added
-$17k
Median Debt
$15,580
Earnings (4yr)
$76,004
Natl Median: $64,773
Lifetime Value Added
+$274k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,768
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$16,303
Earnings (4yr)
$86,941
Natl Median: $56,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$372k
Psychology, General
AssocCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,288
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,641
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
AssocCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$49,819
Natl Median: $39,409
Lifetime Value Added
+$30k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,656
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (4yr)
$53,742
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
-$31k
Median Debt
$27,444
Earnings (4yr)
$76,031
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
+$145k
Applied Mathematics
BachCIP: 2703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$67,720
Natl Median: $91,532
Lifetime Value Added
+$71k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$54,031
Natl Median: $82,320
Lifetime Value Added
-$28k
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
BachCIP: 5010
Median Debt
$22,833
Earnings (4yr)
$48,367
Natl Median: $48,240
Lifetime Value Added
-$76k
Median Debt
$21,997
Earnings (4yr)
$43,507
Natl Median: $44,889
Lifetime Value Added
-$117k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (4yr)
$56,878
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$5k
Biotechnology
BachCIP: 2612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,097
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,799
Earnings (4yr)
$64,131
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$53k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,581
Earnings (4yr)
$64,703
Natl Median: $75,975
Lifetime Value Added
+$58k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,632
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$27,209
Earnings (4yr)
$85,131
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$214k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,587
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$22,535
Earnings (4yr)
$91,678
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
+$264k
Median Debt
$20,468
Earnings (4yr)
$90,504
Natl Median: $95,124
Lifetime Value Added
+$255k
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (4yr)
$60,325
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$23k
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$63,582
Natl Median: $68,061
Lifetime Value Added
+$49k
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$50,658
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
-$56k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,842
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$86,348
Natl Median: $84,599
Lifetime Value Added
+$223k
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (4yr)
$88,670
Natl Median: $85,557
Lifetime Value Added
+$241k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$75,797
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$143k
Median Debt
$25,961
Earnings (4yr)
$39,165
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$154k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$44,116
Natl Median: $43,283
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Median Debt
$29,000
Earnings (4yr)
$56,774
Natl Median: $58,716
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$62,718
Natl Median: $68,245
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$118,364
Natl Median: $61,911
Lifetime Value Added
+$467k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 4703
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (4yr)
$83,528
Natl Median: $83,301
Lifetime Value Added
+$202k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,622
Earnings (4yr)
$49,983
Natl Median: $56,726
Lifetime Value Added
-$62k
Median Debt
$23,120
Earnings (4yr)
$45,052
Natl Median: $48,568
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Median Debt
$21,926
Earnings (4yr)
$66,054
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$68k
Median Debt
$23,451
Earnings (4yr)
$91,993
Natl Median: $80,890
Lifetime Value Added
+$266k
Insurance
BachCIP: 5217
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $88,472
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$23,646
Earnings (4yr)
$54,837
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
-$22k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,176
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$16,052
Earnings (4yr)
$80,996
Natl Median: $88,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$182k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$24,995
Earnings (4yr)
$66,023
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$68k
Median Debt
$23,500
Earnings (4yr)
$82,821
Natl Median: $82,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$196k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$26,789
Earnings (4yr)
$49,596
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$65k
Public Health
BachCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,808
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$22,504
Earnings (4yr)
$51,396
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
-$50k
Median Debt
$21,411
Earnings (4yr)
$81,718
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$188k
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$47,823
Natl Median: $48,471
Lifetime Value Added
-$80k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$24,915
Earnings (4yr)
$53,351
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$61,884
Natl Median: $59,631
Lifetime Value Added
+$35k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$84,958
Natl Median: $78,638
Lifetime Value Added
+$213k
Systems Engineering
BachCIP: 1427
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $105,185
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$24,817
Earnings (4yr)
$45,053
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$51,484
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$49k

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $104,114
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $99,783
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $105,177
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Master's Degrees

Architecture
MastCIP: 0402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,139
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$115,819
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$362k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $121,855
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$23,810
Earnings (5yr)
$59,104
Natl Median: $66,714
Lifetime Value Added
-$147k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,399
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,073
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,079
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,981
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,751
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$82,166
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$68k
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$24,600
Earnings (4yr)
$63,946
Natl Median: $65,123
Lifetime Value Added
-$92k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Graduate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$91,584
Natl Median: $94,506
Lifetime Value Added
+$234k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $101,517
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
Gr-CertCIP: 5132
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $112,957
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $122,843
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,444
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Doctoral Degrees

Median Debt
$56,120
Earnings (4yr)
$106,347
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
+$110k

Professional Degrees

Optometry
ProfCIP: 5117
Median Debt
$144,874
Earnings (4yr)
$138,837
Natl Median: $131,525
Lifetime Value Added
+$350k
Median Debt
$103,000
Earnings (4yr)
$136,836
Natl Median: $138,348
Lifetime Value Added
+$335k

Other Programs

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,426
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,347
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.