May 29, 2025
Ferris State summer enrollment increases as more students seek opportunities to gain skills for rewarding careers
Ferris State University’s summer enrollment is increasing, continuing a trend as more students discover opportunities to gain skills for rewarding careers.
University leaders say they are optimistic about the upcoming fall semester and note there is still time to enroll in classes offered in-person and online.
The 2025 summer semester headcount is up about one percent from a year ago. That follows a 2.8 percent increase during the winter 2025 semester and a 0.4 percent boost in fall 2024.
Ferris State recently earned the elite “Opportunity University” designation from the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education.
Jeanine Ward-Roof, Ferris State’s vice president for Student Affairs, said that designation reflects that Ferris state provides access to a quality education that comes with a vibrant college experience with campuses in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, with success hubs across the state.
“It’s inspiring to see more students of all ages discovering the value of a Ferris State education,” she said. “Ferris State is a truly special place—our nationally recognized programs offer hands-on learning, small class sizes, and personalized support that help students succeed. Whether you're launching your career or building new skills to advance it, Ferris is where your next step begins.”
This is the second consecutive summer with an increase in enrollment. The fall 2024 and winter 2025 semesters also had year-to-year increases.
Ward-Roof said the number of African American students increased by 12.9 percent, and the number of Hispanic students is up 12.3 percent. The colleges of Health Professions, Business, and Arts, Sciences, and Education saw the greatest boosts in the number of summer students.
The university boasts Michigan’s first College of Optometry, a leading College of Pharmacy, and the largest arts and design program among state universities at the Kendall College of Art and Design. The Master of Information and Intelligence, Automotive Engineering, and Welding programs are among the Ferris State programs ranking among the nation’s elite.
Ferris State is a growing option for students from outside of Michigan, as the university does not charge a different tuition rate for out of state students. A number of programs can be completed online.
A vibrant, welcoming campus scene includes more than 220 clubs and organizations and nationally ranked athletics programs – including the reigning NCAA DII National Champion football team.
Ward-Roof said the enrollment numbers are encouraging, but there are other people in Michigan and beyond who could benefit from a Ferris State education.
“Many families are still making decisions about where to attend, and our specialists are available to help with questions about courses, financial aid, housing and other topics,” she said. “We encourage people to register for a campus tour and see all the things Ferris State offers them.”
Additional information about all those topics is available here.