MS at Ferris State University, Big Rapids — Cost, Community & Job Market Guide for Indian Students (2026)
Quick answer
Ferris State University is a public university in Big Rapids, Big Rapids, Michigan, part of the Grand Rapids region. Budget option. Tuition: International/non-resident graduate rate approximately $1,202 per credit hour (2025-2026); domestic resident graduate rate approximately $797 per credit hour — figures sourced via search snippet of the official rate sheet, not independently verified via direct fetch (ferris.edu blocked direct access throughout this research pass). (Source: Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch), verified August 2026.)
Quick facts
- Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Big Rapids, Michigan.
- School type: Public. Cost tier (relative to this dataset): Low.
- Nearest metro: Grand Rapids.
- Tuition: International/non-resident graduate rate approximately $1,202 per credit hour (2025-2026); domestic resident graduate rate approximately $797 per credit hour — figures sourced via search snippet of the official rate sheet, not independently verified via direct fetch (ferris.edu blocked direct access throughout this research pass). (Source: Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch), verified August 2026.)
- Program duration: MS Data Science and Analytics: 30 credits (21 core + 9 concentration). MS Information Security and Intelligence: total credit hours not confirmed.. (Source: Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch), verified August 2026.)
- Intake cycle is not stated here — confirm on the admissions portal [VERIFY: intake].
- STEM-OPT: this program is reported as STEM-designated. (Source: Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch), verified August 2026.) Confirm current status directly, as this can change.
What is Ferris State University known for among Indian applicants?
Budget option. This is a starting-point observation from aggregate application patterns, not a guarantee of admission or outcome for any individual applicant [VERIFY: current admissions data].
What does the total cost at Ferris State University actually look like?
As of August 2026, Ferris State University's tuition is International/non-resident graduate rate approximately $1,202 per credit hour (2025-2026); domestic resident graduate rate approximately $797 per credit hour — figures sourced via search snippet of the official rate sheet, not independently verified via direct fetch (ferris.edu blocked direct access throughout this research pass). (Source: Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch), verified August 2026.) Note: Ferris does not offer a pure "MS Computer Science" — closest programs are MS Information Security and Intelligence and MS Data Science and Analytics. Intake deadlines not found — ferris.edu international admissions pages returned 403 errors throughout this research pass, so confidence on all figures here is lower than other schools in this batch. This is one figure from one point in time — tuition changes year to year, so confirm the current rate directly before budgeting around it. Total cost means tuition plus living expenses plus travel, not tuition alone — a lower sticker price in a higher cost-of-living metro can still add up to more than a higher sticker price in a cheaper town. Convert every number to INR at the exchange rate on the day you check, not a rate quoted in an old blog post.
Is the MS program at Ferris State University STEM-OPT eligible?
As of August 2026, this program is reported as STEM-designated, per Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch). STEM-OPT eligibility is set at the individual program level by its CIP code and can change, so confirm current status directly with Ferris State University's international student office before relying on it for visa planning.
Is there a job market near Ferris State University?
Grand Rapids is the nearest metro to Ferris State University. Many graduates from smaller-metro campuses relocate for their first job after OPT begins — plan your job search around where the roles actually are, not only where you studied. [VERIFY: typical relocation pattern for this program]
What is daily life like for an Indian student at Ferris State University?
Specific details on the local Indian community, grocery access, and transport options near Big Rapids are not compiled here [VERIFY: confirm with current students or the school's international student association before you commit]. Most campuses run an official Indian Students Association or similar group — check the school's student organizations directory directly.
| Field | Status | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | International/non-resident graduate rate approximately $1,202 per credit hour (2025-2026); domestic resident graduate rate approximately $797 per credit hour — figures sourced via search snippet of the official rate sheet, not independently verified via direct fetch (ferris.edu blocked direct access throughout this research pass) (as of August 2026) | Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch) |
| Program duration | MS Data Science and Analytics: 30 credits (21 core + 9 concentration). MS Information Security and Intelligence: total credit hours not confirmed. | Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch) |
| School type / cost tier | Public / Low | This dataset (relative ranking, not a dollar figure) |
| Nearest metro | Grand Rapids | — |
| STEM-OPT / CIP code | STEM-designated (reported) — confirm directly | Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch) |
| Intake cycle / deadlines | [VERIFY] | Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch) |
A program that fits your specific budget and job-market plan beats a program with a familiar name and a vague plan.
Building your MS timeline around a skills gap you'll need to close before OPT starts? See how a focused, project-based track fits alongside your degree.
Explore for international studentsRelated reading: this city's guide, this state's guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will I regret choosing Ferris State University over a bigger-name school?
Depends what you're optimizing for. If it's total cost and a realistic path to a job in Grand Rapids, a less-famous name is not automatically a worse choice — regret usually comes from an unclear budget or job-market plan, not the school's name recognition.
What is the tuition at Ferris State University?
As of August 2026, International/non-resident graduate rate approximately $1,202 per credit hour (2025-2026); domestic resident graduate rate approximately $797 per credit hour — figures sourced via search snippet of the official rate sheet, not independently verified via direct fetch (ferris.edu blocked direct access throughout this research pass), per Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch). Confirm the current figure directly before budgeting, since tuition changes year to year.
Is Ferris State University a good option for an Indian MS applicant?
Depends on your budget, target job market, and risk tolerance — not university ranking. Compare total cost and the Grand Rapids job market against your own priorities.
Is the MS program at Ferris State University STEM-OPT eligible?
As of August 2026, reported as STEM-designated, per Ferris State's official STEM/STEAM program listing and STEM OPT extension checklist PDF, which name both "Information Security and Intelligence, M.S." and "Data Science and Analytics, M.S." as STEM-designated (confirmed via search snippets of official pages, not direct fetch). Confirm current status directly, as CIP-code designations can change.
What is the nearest big city to Ferris State University?
Grand Rapids. Many graduates relocate there after OPT begins if the campus town itself has limited tech hiring. [VERIFY: typical pattern for this program]
Is there an Indian community near Ferris State University in Big Rapids?
Not compiled here in detail. Confirm with current students or the school's international student association. [VERIFY]
When can I apply to Ferris State University?
Deadlines vary by program and intake cycle. Confirm current deadlines directly on the official admissions page. [VERIFY]