Ferris State University

What Ferris State University does

Ferris State University is a public university founded in 1884 and headquartered in Big Rapids, Michigan, with a second campus in Grand Rapids and statewide delivery through consortium agreements with 25+ Michigan community colleges. The institution serves approximately 9,900 students across 180+ degree programs organized into academic colleges including Pharmacy, Health Professions, Engineering Technology, Optometry, Arts/Sciences/Education, Business, and Kendall College of Art and Design. Ferris operates in a career-focused segment of public higher education, with programs in HVAC, welding engineering, optometry, pharmacy, dental hygiene, and — as of March 2026 — Michigan's first dental therapy training program, supported by an $85,000 federal HRSA grant and a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The university's revenue model is a hybrid of tuition and fees, state appropriations from Michigan, and private philanthropy through The Ferris Foundation (anchored by the One Day for Dawgs annual giving campaign, which raised $505,232 from 1,295 donors in 2026). Distribution is multi-channel: two physical campuses, Ferris Online for remote learners, statewide sites, and a community-college consortium network that allows students to complete 40-79% of coursework at partner institutions. Operational technology includes Canvas (LMS), Banner (SIS), Ferris360 (student portal), Navigate (advising), Microsoft Teams (financial aid counseling), and DoubleMap (campus shuttle tracking). Technology differentiation centers on the NSA-validated Center of Academic Excellence in Secure Artificial Intelligence (accredited November 2025), which underpins a credentialed academic program in secure AI.

Beyond academics, Ferris operates an NCAA Division II athletics program (ranked Top 20 nationally), a community healthcare clinic partnership with Remote Area Medical that served 265 patients providing roughly $250,000 in services in 2025, and the Jim Crow Museum — a cultural institution with a combined YouTube reach exceeding 20 million. The institution is led by President Bill Pink and is governed by a Board of Trustees under the State of Michigan. Recent strategic moves center on healthcare workforce expansion (dental therapy, RAM clinic scaling), federal validation in secure AI, and Carnegie Classification recognition as an Opportunity Institution.

Name

Ferris State University

Legal name

Ferris State University

Website

https://ferris.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1884

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Ferris State University is a public Michigan university founded in 1884, serving roughly 9,900 students across 180+ career-focused degree programs from campuses in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, with statewide reach via community-college consortium partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marketing, Sales & Brand Management Schools (EDAHAHAE), Athletics Events, Game Operations & Ticketing (EDALAIAK)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Career-focused education
• Online distance learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Big Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees charged to students for educational services
2. State Appropriations: State of Michigan funding appropriated to support public university operations
3. One Day for Dawgs Annual Giving: Annual day of giving campaign generating donations from alumni, friends, and supporters; 2026 results: $505,232 from 1,295 donors and 1,728 gifts
4. Ferris Foundation Endowments: Private philanthropy through Ferris Foundation including scholarship endowments, program support, and capital gifts from donors

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ferris State University is a public university that delivers over 180 in-demand undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple colleges (Pharmacy, Health Professions, Engineering Technology, Optometry, Arts/Sciences/Education, Business, and Kendall College of Art and Design). Services extend to online learning through Ferris Online, workforce development certifications, NCAA Division II athletics, and specialized programs including Michigan's first Dental Therapy Training Program. The university supplements academic offerings with student services such as career counseling, library resources, health services, and statewide community college consortium pathways.

Product overview

Ferris State University is a public university with campuses in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering over 180 in-demand degree programs across multiple colleges. The university's product portfolio includes degree programs organized into academic colleges (Pharmacy, Health Professions, Engineering Technology, Optometry, Arts/Sciences/Education, Business, and Kendall College of Art and Design), supplemented by specialized programs like Michigan's first Dental Therapy Training Program and the Wege Prize circular economy competition. Student services include Canvas LMS, Ferris360 student portal, career services, health services, library resources, and athletics. The university operates statewide through multiple campus locations and consortium agreements with community colleges, providing accessible education delivery across Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy program preparing students for careers in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy practice.
• College of Health Professions Comprehensive health profession programs including nursing, dental hygiene, and allied health sciences for students pursuing healthcare careers.
• Michigan College of Optometry Doctor of Optometry program training eye care professionals with clinical training facilities.
• College of Engineering Technology Technology and engineering programs including HVAC, welding engineering technology, and manufacturing systems.
• Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) Art and design college offering programs in digital art, illustration, design, and fine arts with focus on creative innovation, located in Grand Rapids.
• Ferris Online Online and distance learning programs offering flexible education options for remote students.
• Ferris Statewide Multiple campus locations across Michigan including Grand Rapids, providing educational access through consortium agreements with community colleges.
• Workforce Development Programs Educational programs addressing workforce gaps in industries such as HVAC, developed through faculty expertise and industry partnerships.
• Dental Therapy Training Program Michigan's first dental therapy training program designed to train dental professionals to provide routine oral health care in underserved areas.
• Secure Artificial Intelligence Program NSA-validated AI program accredited as a Center of Academic Excellence in Secure Artificial Intelligence, providing credentialed AI education.
• Intercollegiate Athletics NCAA Division II athletics program featuring Bulldogs teams in multiple sports including football, hockey, softball, and basketball.
• CCTT/EPA 608-609 Certification HVAC/refrigeration technician certification training for industry-standard environmental compliance.
• Graduate Studies Graduate degree programs across multiple academic disciplines offered to students seeking advanced education.
• International Education / Study Abroad International education programs and study abroad opportunities for enrolled Ferris State students.
• Corporate & Professional Development Continuing education and professional development programs for working professionals and organizations.
• Ferris State University Library Academic library services including research support, database access, and study resources for students and faculty.
• Career & Professional Success Student services for career counseling, job placement, internship opportunities, and professional development.
• Birkam Health Center (Student Health Services) Medical services, counseling, and wellness resources for enrolled students.
• Charter Schools Office Authorization and oversight of charter schools operating in Michigan under Ferris State University's role as a charter school authorizer.
• RAM Healthcare Clinic Partnership Partnership with Remote Area Medical providing free dental, vision, and general medical services to underserved residents through weekend clinics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 265 patients served and $250,000 in free healthcare services provided at 2025 RAM clinic
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Michigan Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Partnership to develop Michigan's first dental therapy training program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. Supported by an $85,000 federal grant from HRSA. Program aims to train dental professionals to provide routine oral health care in underserved areas where over 1.5 million Michigan residents live in federally designated shortage zones.
• My Community Dental CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Partnership with My Community Dental Centers, led by Dr. Deborah Brown as program director, to develop Michigan's first dental therapy training program. Dr. Brown brings expertise in non-profit dental care to lead program development aimed at increasing access to dental care.
• Remote Area Medical (RAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025Partnership with national nonprofit Remote Area Medical to host free healthcare clinics providing dental, vision, and general medical services to underserved West Michigan residents. Second annual clinic held at Ewigleben Sports Complex in Big Rapids served 265 patients providing approximately $250,000 in services in 2025. Ferris State health profession students work alongside medical volunteers to address healthcare access gaps in Mecosta County and surrounding underserved areas.
• Michigan Community College ConsortiumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsortium agreements with over 25 Michigan community colleges including Alpena Community College, Bay College, Grand Rapids Community College, Macomb Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, and others. Students can enroll in Ferris degree programs while taking courses at partner institutions with varying portions of the program provided by partner schools (ranging from 40-79% depending on program and institution).

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grand Valley State University: Public Michigan regional university with a Grand Rapids campus and comparable career-focused mission; competes directly with Ferris State for in-state students, including in health professions and engineering technology.
• Western Michigan University: Mid-sized Michigan public research university with overlapping health, engineering, and business programs; competes for the same in-state applicant pool and offers comparable NCAA Division I athletics.
• Central Michigan University: Michigan public university of similar enrollment scale with strong health-professions, business, and education programs; directly comparable career-focused positioning and regional recruitment footprint.
• Eastern Michigan University: Michigan public university with a comparable mix of career-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs; competes for the same transfer and traditional in-state student markets.
• Northern Michigan University: Regional public Michigan university of similar size serving a comparable rural/small-city population; overlaps in nursing, technology, and applied health sciences programming.
• Saginaw Valley State University: Michigan regional public university with similar enrollment scale and career-oriented programs in health sciences, business, and engineering technology; comparable transfer and consortium dynamics.
• Michigan Technological University: Michigan public university with STEM/applied-technology focus and similar regional-recruitment model; relevant comparator for Ferris State's engineering technology and applied science programs.
• Lake Superior State University: Small Michigan public university with career-oriented programs including nursing, engineering technology, and criminal justice; comparable scale and rural/regional operating context.

Broad incumbents

• Michigan State University: Michigan's flagship public research university and the dominant in-state competitor across health, business, and STEM; anchors the high end of the Michigan public-higher-education market against which Ferris State must differentiate.

Emerging players

• Purdue University Global: Online-focused public university system with career-oriented and workforce-aligned programs; competes for adult, transfer, and out-of-region learners that overlap with Ferris Online.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FerrisState
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FerrisStateVideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/5981304995
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferris-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/ferrisstateu

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ferris State University