Career Training Path › Michigan › Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan · Public university · Training programs available:
Address: 1201 S State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307 · Phone: (231) 591-2000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Oct 2024 · Probation · Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology; Apr 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Ferris State University is a public trade and career school in Big Rapids, Michigan, offering radiology/sonography, welding, and dental hygiene programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Ferris State University carry a median debt of $21,000 and earn a median of $54,735 ten years after entry; campus completion rate versus the state average of 56.9% is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Ferris State University; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 34.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $55,450 | $76,420 | $81,700 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,090 | $49,990 | $59,190 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,230 | $83,790 | $93,310 |
| Machinists | $38,370 | $52,360 | $62,300 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,110 | $54,120 | $67,100 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,180 | $48,120 | $61,470 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $42,170 | $60,070 | $74,090 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Michigan (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 43 | not reported | $42,424 | $16,303 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 39 | $42,745 | $43,798 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 33 | $46,148 | $45,956 | $22,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | not reported | not reported | $18,439 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 18 | $46,148 | $45,956 | $22,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 9 | $33,432 | $32,711 | $24,950 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | $24,479 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | $20,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $42,424 | $16,303 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Ferris State University is a public university in Big Rapids, Michigan, located in a remote-town setting. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. Ferris State holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Optometric Association's Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Among its 11 trade and career program families, the largest by enrollment are Radiology & Sonography, Welding, and Dental Hygiene.
Federal data show 193 trade-program completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 8,106. The statewide average completion rate is 56.9%, though this campus's completion rate and its comparison to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,735. About 34.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students pursuing technical, licensure-track fields like radiology, dental hygiene, or welding, though program lengths themselves are not detailed here, so career changers should confirm scheduling and duration directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcome data independently through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the university directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Ferris State University offers 11 trade and career program families, with the largest being Radiology & Sonography, Welding, and Dental Hygiene programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Ferris State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Optometric Association's Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. About 34.2% of students here receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The statewide average completion rate is 56.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,735, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Ferris State University is a public institution, which typically means state subsidies help lower tuition compared to for-profit schools, though actual cost is not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly at (231) 591-2000 or via https://www.ferris.edu/ for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?169910, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not report program lengths or scheduling formats, so fit for career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to ask about part-time or accelerated options.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Ferris State University by phone at (231) 591-2000 or through its website at https://www.ferris.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in Michigan
- FCG Truck Driver Training, Inc.Byron Center, MI
- Hastings public schoolDorr, MI
- Lansing Community CollegeLansing, MI · 25% completion
- MIAT College of TechnologyCanton, MI · 64% completion
- Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor, MI · 33% completion
- Wayne County Community College DistrictDetroit, MI · 22% completion
- Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids, MI · 21% completion
- Henry Ford CollegeDearborn, MI · college
See all trade and career schools in Michigan or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.