Ferris State University

Woodbridge N. Ferris , founder and namesake of the university Big Rapids Industrial School, as it was originally named, opened on September 1, 1884, in temporary quarters in the Vandersluis Block (present location of the currently empty former J.C. Penney Co. building) in Big Rapids. The goal of the school was to provide students with marketable skills for a changing society. By the beginning of the next semester in January 1885, the school changed its name to Ferris Industrial School. In January 1894, the school moved into and dedicated its new building, Old Main, on the corner of Oak and Ives Streets. At this same time, the school was incorporated with capital stock of $50,000. [ 10 ] In 1898, the institution was again renamed to Ferris Institute. In 1900, W. N. Ferris sold capital stock in Ferris Institute to the public, keeping a controlling interest in his own hands. It remained privately owned until August 25, 1931, when the Board of Incorporators, a group of 39 businessmen, purchased Ferris Institute from the old stockholders and selected a board of trustees from their number to govern the school. [ 10 ] In February 1943, alumnus Colin Smith introduced a bill in the legislature for the state to purchase Ferris Institute. It passed both houses, but was vetoed by Governor Harry Kelly . On May 17, 1949, Governor G. Mennen Williams signed the bill accepting Ferris Institute as a gift to the state of Michigan, which took over its governance on July 1, 1950. Before the state took control, though, fire destroyed the Old Main and the Old Pharmacy buildings on February 21, 1950. Only the Alumni Building and some minor buildings were left standing. Immediate rebuilding of the institute began, and on July 1, 1963, it was again renamed, this time as Ferris State College. [ 10 ] In November 1987, the institution became Ferris State University. [ 10 ] In 1950, Ferris consisted entirely of one permanent structure, the Alumni Building, and some surplus Army barracks.

At that time, fewer than 1,000 students were enrolled, with fewer than 50 faculty members, and the campus itself covered less than 20 acres (8.1 ha) . By contrast, current enrollment is more than 10,000, and the 880-acre (360 ha) campus contains 115 buildings, including educational, administrative, maintenance, student-activity, and residence-hall facilities.

College of Business building Carillon Tower and Music Center The university has eight colleges offering more than 170 educational programs—Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Engineering Technology, Health Professions, the Kendall College of Art and Design , Michigan College of Optometry, and Pharmacy. Program offerings lead to bachelor's and associate degrees and certificates. Master's degrees in information security and intelligence, career and technical education, criminal justice, business administration, curriculum and instruction, nursing, and fine arts are available. Ferris also offers doctoral degrees in optometry, pharmacy, nursing practice, and community college leadership. Kendall College of Art and Design offers graduate and undergraduate fine arts degrees, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in art history. Kendall's campus is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Michigan College of Optometry is one of 16 schools or colleges of optometry in the United States and the only college of optometry in Michigan. MCO doctors and student interns deliver eye care to patients in the region. Graduates receive a Doctor of Optometry degree. The College of Pharmacy graduates comprise more than half of Michigan's practicing pharmacists. Graduates receive a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Ferris State's most popular undergraduate majors, in order by 2021 graduates, were: [ 11 ] Criminal Justice/Police Science (253) Business Administration and Management (211) Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (139) Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (80) Biology/Biological Sciences (76) General Studies (63) Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician (55) Admissions Ferris State University is considered "less selective" by U.S. News & World Report . [ 12 ] For the class of 2025 (enrolling fall 2021), Ferris State University received 10,480 applications and accepted 8,884 (84.8%), with 1,405 enrolling.

The middle 50% range of SAT scores for enrolling freshmen was 910–1050. The middle 50% ACT composite score range was 19–26. More information Measure, Applicants ... Fall first-time freshman statistics [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] Measure 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 Applicants 10,480 8,581 9,175 10,284 9,926 10,883 Admits 8,884 7,076 7,949 8,320 7,361 8,455 Admit rate 84.8 82.5 86.6 80.9 74.2 77.7 Enrolled 1,405 1,540 1,892 1,882 1,822 1,830 Yield rate 15.8 21.8 23.8 22.6 24.8 21.6 ACT composite* (out of 36) 19–26 18–26 18–25 19–26 19–25 19–25 SAT composite* (out of 1600) 910–1050 1050–1110 980–1090 940–1170 — — Close • middle 50% range