Ferris State University Reviews

  • 24 Reviews
  • Big Rapids (MI)
  • Annual Tuition: $13,076
78% of 24 students said this degree improved their career prospects
88% of 24 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

NB
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2019
  • Degree: Communications
"Although a relatively small institution, Ferris State University is one that works to create meaningful educational experiences for its students. I chose it because I wanted a small-school feel, while having access to big-school opportunities. Ferris largely delivered on this, and when I left in 2011, I felt prepared to apply for bring a basal level of expertise to the employers' ranks I hoped to join. Ferris works for you if you are committed to working for yourself. It was rare to be turned away, under-supported, or ignored in my program, and I can attribute that directly to the commitment of my instructors to seeing myself and my peers not just gainfully employed, but properly trained. As a woman of color, the town was sometimes challenging to live in, but the proximity of Grand Rapids, and even Mount Pleasant, made it bearable."
Rachel Keiser
  • Reviewed: 6/27/2019
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"The pre-Pharmacy program is really great at Ferris State. The professors all do an amazing job in giving all of the necessary bases and knowledge that the actual Pharmacy program expands on. I thought they did an amazing job in getting us ready for the program. The professors really knew what they were talking about and truely care about you and want you to succeed."
Richard Garcia
  • Reviewed: 6/29/2017
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"Ferris State University's college of pharmacy is a good but challenging program with a solid curriculum. Some changes are in the works to improve some of the rockier points, but those should be resolved relatively soon. While the college of pharmacy itself is a strong program within the university, FSU's upper administration often times has students scratching their heads wondering why anyone would think these decisions make sense. For instance, it doesn't take a business major to see that shutting down a dorm, leaving the building erect and unused, building a new dorm, despite a steady decline in enrollment, thereby increasing tuition, is not a way to interest more students to attend your institution. These students will see the increase in tuition and choose another in-state school, because they feel the effect of these students near a lake (if this isn't clear enough, you might as well just stick to Ferris anyway), who has had an increase in enrollment as of late. Sorry administrators but in a world where dollars matter, with this move, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise to you that enrollment continues to decline as you jack up tuition. Speaking of tuition, don't expect to actually be offered everything the FAFSA says you might expect in terms of aid. You'll get your Direct Unsubsidized loans but forget about the Direct Subsidized loans, which would help you not HAVE to work during school. But you won't get them so you'll have to work and then get grilled about your academic performance and be told you need to work less than the 35 hours a week you have to put into a job to even afford rent and bills. But oh, not to worry! You can always apply for Grad PLUS and private loans that you don't have enough credit for. Oh, and scholarships that are allegedly need based but only if your GPA is at particular minimum because you should have heeded their advice and chosen to live in a cardboard box under an overpass to focus on your classes more. FinAid isn't there to help you. They're there to make money for the university by offering only the highest rate loans with as little actual aid as possible. So, in summary, Pharmacy program is good and the sharp edges are being smoothed. The university as a whole needs administrators who actually understand that to improve enrollment rates, a fresh new dorm isn't going to suffice and increased tuition rates aren't going to impress perspective students let alone returning students (at least they would return if they could afford the tuition). Financial Aid is a cover for the university's money grabbing scams and won't help you if you're truly in need. Get ready to pay some of that grad school tuition out of pocket. Class variety and professors are pretty good though, for the most part. Go DAWGS.?"
Lyn Sakowski
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"The Social Work faculty and staff at Ferris State University always ensure a personable, compassionate, and challenging curriculum. They truly believe in the power of their students. Come to Ferris if you desire a personable experience and staff who care."
ferris
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Chemistry
"It was a good pharmacy school. I didn't think the social scene was the best"
Personal Professors and Bureaucratic Bull
  • Reviewed: 3/28/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"The professors I interacted with on a daily basis were extremely personable and well educated in their fields. The core classes were taught by professors with doctorates in philosophy (PhD) and not by teacher aids or non-tenured professors. I still keep in touch with the majority of professors that taught core classes, and use many of them as references. Even after 5 yeas passed graduation they are willing to write letters of recommendation and provide insightful career advise. The bureaucratic structure of the university was frustrating to me as a student. There is a large amount of financial waste within the offices of those who "make the big decisions". Programs and schools are forced to curry political favor for funding and scholarships. Many times, scholarships and funding were pulled out from under me and paid research positions were few and far between."
plad
  • Reviewed: 1/24/2017
  • Degree: Healthcare Administration
"It was a good school. It was well priced and I got everything I wanted out of it."
Ashley
  • Reviewed: 1/12/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"Ferris is an awesome value! Lots of financial aid available to help out anyone looking to apply. There are also many majors to choose from, anything from plastics to rubbers to pharmacy and optometry. You can even take classes in fermentation science and professional tennis management! If you are not 100% sure what you want to go into, but want a university feel without throwing your money away at a D1 school, Ferris will be a good fit for you!"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/22/2016
  • Degree: Biology
"Ferris State has a great, mid size college atmosphere. They have a lot of fun recreational activities and I greatly enjoyed my time there. However, I was not to pleased with the quality level of the professors I encountered while in the science program. There were of course fantastic professors that enhanced my knowledge and passion for my career, but they were few and far between. When asked about my alma mater, I always recommend that if you are pursuing a science degree to perhaps look in to other schools first."
Alex S.
  • Reviewed: 7/22/2016
  • Degree: Psychology
"FSU was the perfect fit for me! The department I was part of was amazing -- the students were supportive and kind. The professors went above and beyond their duties to ensure I succeeded and performed to my highest potential. I felt more than just a number or dollar sign to the university and even chatted casually with the president and he remembered my name! I loved the campus, being centralized to the town. There was that small town feel while still having things to do and being an hour away from Grand Rapids. I miss it a great deal and only wish I could move back to the area. The events and hockey program was a lot of fun, too!"
C.
  • Reviewed: 5/12/2016
  • Degree: Visual Communications
"I attended FSU and graduated with a B.S. in Visual Design over a decade ago. I luckily got into the workforce a couple years before the recession nose dived in '07-'09 and was able to get enough of a foothold to make okay wages for a few years. I had to move to different states for work in my field and, despite me getting a job offer in my field via a required portfolio review before I even graduated (which is the one thing I could attribute to them...but the offer was a mere $28k so I had to pass), I feel like my degree at FSU was a gigantic waste. The field radically changed during the time I was there from '00-'04 and the teachers at most outright lied about career potential, and at the very least strongly misled students. Heck, I should point out only like 1 or 2 program teachers from that time were even employed by FSU 3-4 years after I left. It was all a horrible joke. Over the years I've kept an eye on the school via ferris.edu and fsutorch.com....and also in particular students from the design program.....and it's just a slow-motion trainwreck. Only students who have big bucks and/or wealthy parents who foot the bill for them to relocate to California/NYC/etc. do well....but let's face it, those kids would do well regardless thanks to Mom & Dad. I also just saw tuition and room+board rates for the 2016-2017 year....when I was in college in 2004 I think my single-room on campus w/ best meal plan and 15 creds/sem. was like $13,500 annually. Now, Ferris State wants to charge students for the same thing $23,000 annually. In fact, you can't even attend FSU any more for less than $20k annually with the cheapest tuition and meal plan and housing options. FSU is not worth $20k+ annually. If you're going to pay that much go an hour south and attend Grand Valley, where they are bigger, offer more programs and allow more flexibility if a year or two in you decide to change majors. Or go to Michigan State...or University of Michigan. There is just absolutely no reason to attend FSU at this point in time. When I went you could get a 4 yr. degree for less than $60k. Now they want to charge students $80-90k. YIKES!!! Oh, and off-campus housing and employment is abysmal in Big Rapids. Just. Awful. Go to GVSU and live in Grand Rapids. That's also Michigan's best city job-wise, so GVSU is just the safest bet overall, IMO. I ended up having to go back to college half a decade later to switch fields. I ended up attending a community college and then an online college for the final couple years - all of which I had to pay out of pocket since FSU's time ate up all my undergrad student loans (which I'm still paying on). Luckily I've been able to find work since the recession after switching fields, but FSU is probably the biggest bait 'n switch I've ever seen as an adult. And the fact that each year they keep raising costs when, from what I see, it's the same ol' school with a couple fancy new buildings.....that's just embarrassing. AVOID FERRIS PEOPLE....JUST....AVOID IT. NOT. WORTH. THE. MONEY."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2015
  • Degree: Marketing
"I had a great time while attending Ferris. The ability to get involved on campus and with organizations is incredible. Doing so allowed me to grow professionally and personally and helped prepare me for my future while having a great time."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/27/2015
  • Degree: Sports Management
"I thoroughly enjoyed Ferris and all that went on there. I got to know some amazing people and received a very beneficial degree for a successful future."
Rachel Anderson
  • Reviewed: 8/9/2014
  • Degree: Criminal Justice
"Ferris is really great because you know you are getting a good education. The upper-level classes are related to you major and applying is easy. the financial aid dept. is really helpful and knows the answer to your question. The advisers want to help you with a problem. AND the advisers email you about current job oppertunities. I got a fair amount of financial aid to cover the cost and I know Ferris cares about it's students."
A. Waldron
  • Reviewed: 8/5/2014
  • Degree: Architecture
"Most of the professors in the architecture program are very good. However you get out of it what effort you put in. It is not easy and you will learn a lot if you want to. I really enjoyed it and had many opportunities for different experiences. I loved my time in the Ferris architecture program and never even went to a party!"
Danielle Lefevre
  • Reviewed: 7/28/2014
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The facilities and equipment are some of the best in the country. Big Rapids is not a very interesting place to live, but it at least provides minimal distractions. I also went to Ferris State for my undergraduate and have received little financial support and scholarship opportunities. With each year, scholarship opportunities become increasingly scarce. Overall, it is an excellent program."
Kirsten Thorhauer
  • Reviewed: 7/22/2014
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"Very hard program but one of the best board pass rate of any school. Big Rapids is a small town though."
Morgan Byron
  • Reviewed: 7/20/2014
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"I'm just entering the program, but have attended Ferris for 3 semesters now. Very good area and safe place to live aside a couple of incedents last semester. The undergraduate courses are challenging."
Brittany LaBell
  • Reviewed: 6/20/2014
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"Ferris State College of Pharmacy is a wonderful choice for students who want to practice pharmacy. The staff is very friendly and caring towards their students. The curriculum is tough, but Ferris State always scores very high on the NAPLEX exam (better than Michigan and Wayne State). There is not much to do in surrounding town."
Greg Fedirko
  • Reviewed: 2/16/2014
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"The pro's of the program are that the staff wants the students to succeed. They know that our dollars pay their salary and therefore they need to work equally hard to make sure all students in the PharmD program get the fullest out of their education. Cons are very seldom if any that I can think of. It is a very strong community and very strong program."