Utah-based EDsmart.org, a publisher of college resources and rankings, rates Ferris
State University’s online instruction sixth best in Michigan among 31 public institutions
of higher education considered in their report. Ferris alumnus Matt Smith is the university’s
Director of Online Development.
Ferris State University’s online instruction has earned honors from EDsmart.org, a nationally recognized publisher of college resources and rankings.
The Utah-based operation said Ferris’ programs in Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and various certificate study areas ranked sixth among 31 institutions considered in the report. Ferris offers 30-plus programs entirely online.
Ferris alumnus Matthew Smith, the director of online development in the university’s Extended and International Operations, said a quote from founder and former Michigan Gov. Woodbridge Ferris serves as a “North Star” to focus their efforts.
“He declared, ‘My plea in Michigan, and it will be my plea to the last breath I draw, and the last word I speak is education for all children, all men, and all women of Michigan, all the people in all our states all the time,’” Smith said. “Through online learning, Ferris has continued to offer students the same level of rigor, depth, and personalization as its traditional, in-person courses. In addition, faculty members have developed innovative online teaching methods that foster interactive and collaborative learning environments and have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success.”
Findings for the 2020-21 academic year showed that nearly 10 percent of Michigan’s half-million-plus college students took their instruction entirely online, and about 90,000 enrolled across the state had at least one class online. EDsmart rankings use the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and College Navigator websites, emphasizing the average net price of instruction, institutional graduation rate, retention rate and salaries paid to graduates who completed their degree or certificate program.
Those rated in the EDsmart.org report on Michigan online colleges include members of the state of Michigan’s university system, community colleges and various Michigan private and religious schools.
Smith said educational access and excellence continue to be a top Ferris priority.
“The university looks forward to continuing to innovate and improve its online instruction program in the coming years,” Smith said.
To learn more about Extended and International Operations at Ferris, offered through Ferris Online, contact them by calling (231) 591-2340 or by email.