Ferris State University

Ferris State University
Former names
Big Rapids Industrial School (1884–1885)
Ferris Industrial School (1885–1898)
Ferris Institute (1898–1963)
Ferris State College (1963–1987)
MottoFerris Forward
TypePublic university
EstablishedSeptember 1, 1884 (1884-09-01)
Endowment$117 million (2021)
PresidentBill Pink
ProvostRobert P. Fleischman
Academic staff
584
Students9,959 (Fall 2024)
Location,
Michigan
,
United States

43°41′51″N 85°29′02″W / 43.69739°N 85.4839°W / 43.69739; -85.4839
CampusMain campus: Rural, 880 acres (360 ha)
Grand Rapids: urban
NewspaperThe Ferris State Torch
ColorsCrimson and Gold
   
NicknameBulldogs
Sporting affiliations
NCAA:
   Division II: GLIAC
   Division I: CCHA
MascotBrutus the Bulldog
Websiteferris.edu

Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge N. Ferris and became a public institution in 1950. The university also has a satellite campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ferris is classified among "D/PU: Doctoral Universities – Doctoral/Professional Universities". Over 10,000 students study on its main campus, at one of the 19 off-campus locations across the state, or online. Two- and four-year degrees are offered through eight academic colleges and graduate degrees from six. Ferris grants professional doctoral degrees via its engineering, business, optometry and pharmacy colleges and a multidisciplinary doctorate of education in community college leadership.

The Ferris State Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey, in which the team is part of the NCAA Division I Central Collegiate Hockey Association.