Woodbridge Ferris founded a school in Big Rapids in 1884 and later became governor of Michigan. The school became Ferris State University, a public university of about 10,000 students on the Muskegon River in west-central Michigan. It's known for applied programmes: pharmacy, optometry, welding engineering, HVAC and plastics. Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids is also part of Ferris.
Big Rapids, Michigan, United States
Official website: ferris.edu
1884
Public university
Michigan College of Optometry
Kendall College of Art and Design
$19,000 – $26,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate tuition
$10,000 – $13,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ferris.edu before you apply.
Doctor of Pharmacy
DoctorateDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Welding Engineering Technology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Plastics Engineering Technology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Information Security and Intelligence
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Pharmacy and optometry.
Applied engineering technology, including welding and plastics.
A mix of university degrees and hands-on technical programmes.
Engineering technology graduates are hired by manufacturers across Michigan.
Pharmacy and optometry graduates go into clinical practice.
STEM graduates can apply for extended OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Big Rapids is a small college town, and the Muskegon River runs through it with trails and tubing in summer.
Grand Rapids, Michigan's second city, is about an hour south. Winters bring plenty of snow, and living costs are low.
Form I-20 issued by Ferris State
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Ferris admits international students on a rolling basis. Apply by June for fall and by November for spring. Pharmacy and optometry have earlier deadlines.
Most programmes start in August or January.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Ferris State after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Pharmacy, welding and plastics engineering technology, information security and the MBA are popular. Undergraduates need secondary school completion and English scores. Pharmacy and optometry have prerequisite courses.
Ferris offers international merit scholarships based on grades.
