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Ferris State University: Ferris State University August 2010 14 (FLITE)
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College · Catholic life on campus

Ferris State University

  • LocationBig Rapids, MI
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 9,918 students
Official website

Ferris State University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The St. Paul Newman Center, an apostolate of St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Church in Big Rapids, serves Ferris State University students from 1009 Marion Avenue. The parish's 2026-27 schedule lists Masses on every weekday, Sunday Masses at 10 AM and 12 PM, and confession on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Newman Center offers a group for men and women, retreats, a student brunch and a spring break service trip.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 8

  • Sunday10:00 AMSt. Mary
  • Sunday12:00 PMSt. Paul
  • Saturday4:00 PMSt. Mary
  • Monday12:00 PMSt. Paul
  • Tuesday9:00 AMSt. Mary
  • Wednesday8:15 PMSt. Paul · Candle-lit Mass, only when Ferris State is in session.
Show 2 more mass times
  • Thursday9:00 AMSt. Mary
  • Friday9:00 AMSt. Paul

Confession 3

  • Monday11:15 AMSt. Paul
  • Wednesday7:30 PMSt. Paul · Adoration and reconciliation.
  • Saturday3:00 PMSt. Mary

Adoration 2

  • Wednesday7:30 PMSt. Paul · Adoration and reconciliation.
  • Thursday9:30 AMSt. Mary · Adoration until 5:00 PM.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday | 10am Mass at St. Mary 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Sunday Masses at 10 AM at St. Mary and 12 PM at St. Paul.
    “Sunday | 10am Mass at St. Mary 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Sunday Masses at 10 AM at St. Mary and 12 PM at St. Paul.
    “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
    “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
    “Tuesday | 9am Mass at St. Mary”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Tuesday Mass at 9 AM at St. Mary.
    “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
    “Thursday | 9am Mass at St. Mary 9:30am–5pm Adoration at St. Mary”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Thursday Mass at 9 AM and adoration from 9:30 AM to 5 PM at St. Mary.
    “Friday | 9am Mass at St. Paul”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Friday Mass at 9 AM at St. Paul.
    “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
    “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
    “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
    “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
    “Thursday | 9am Mass at St. Mary 9:30am–5pm Adoration at St. Mary”
    The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Thursday Mass at 9 AM and adoration from 9:30 AM to 5 PM at St. Mary.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Ferris State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Mary Catholic Church: 1.6 mi1St. Paul Newman Center: 1.6 miFerris State University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Mary Catholic Church — 1.6 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BCatholic life on campus: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The diocese lists Ferris State University in Big Rapids, and the Newman Center's own page says it serves Ferris students.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Young Adult | Diocese of Grand Rapidsgrdiocese.org/ministries/young-adult · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Ferris State University Big Rapids”
      The Diocese of Grand Rapids lists Ferris State University in Big Rapids under its campus ministries.
    2. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Saint Paul Newman Center is an apostolate of St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Church which serves the students of Ferris State University.”
      The St. Paul Newman Center is the parish's campus ministry for Ferris State students.
  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Recorded.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Staff | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Jegar Fickel Pastor”
      Fr. Jegar Fickel is the pastor of the parish that runs the Newman Center.
    2. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will come together every other Monday night to partake in a discussion led by Father Jegar.”
      The Newman Center holds a men's and women's group every other Monday, led by Father Jegar.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Masses at St. Paul, the Newman Center church, are Monday, Wednesday and Friday; the Tuesday and Thursday Masses at St. Mary are the parish's own and are not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Tuesday | 9am Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Tuesday Mass at 9 AM at St. Mary.
      “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
      “Thursday | 9am Mass at St. Mary 9:30am–5pm Adoration at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Thursday Mass at 9 AM and adoration from 9:30 AM to 5 PM at St. Mary.
      “Friday | 9am Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Friday Mass at 9 AM at St. Paul.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One Sunday Mass (12 PM) is at St. Paul, the Newman Center church; the parish's Masses at St. Mary are not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday | 10am Mass at St. Mary 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Sunday Masses at 10 AM at St. Mary and 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled reconciliation on Monday at 11:15 AM, Wednesday at 7:30 PM and Saturday at 3 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
      “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (One group is listed: the men's and women's group that meets every other Monday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will come together every other Monday night to partake in a discussion led by Father Jegar.”
      The Newman Center holds a men's and women's group every other Monday, led by Father Jegar.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats and service programs are both listed, which makes two kinds.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To kickoff each school year, we hold an afternoon/evening retreat as our first big event”
      The Newman Center holds an opening retreat at the start of each school year.
      “During the Fall and Spring semesters, there is the opportunity to attend a silent retreat from Friday evening until Sunday morning.”
      The Newman Center offers silent retreats in the fall and spring semesters.
      “During Ferris State’s spring break, a group of students will go down to Chicago each year to volunteer with The Mission of Our Lady of The Angels.”
      Students make a spring break service trip to Chicago each year.
      “Outside of classes, students have the chance to volunteer at the local food pantry”
      Students may volunteer at a local food pantry through the Newman Center.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (13 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 3 confession, 2 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Mass is published on every weekday across the parish that runs the Newman Center, with weekend Masses on Saturday and Sunday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday | 10am Mass at St. Mary 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Sunday Masses at 10 AM at St. Mary and 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Tuesday | 9am Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Tuesday Mass at 9 AM at St. Mary.
      “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
      “Thursday | 9am Mass at St. Mary 9:30am–5pm Adoration at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Thursday Mass at 9 AM and adoration from 9:30 AM to 5 PM at St. Mary.
      “Friday | 9am Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists a Friday Mass at 9 AM at St. Paul.
      “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
  • A named pastor leads the Newman Center's discussions and events.
    Sources (2)
    1. Staff | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Jegar Fickel Pastor”
      Fr. Jegar Fickel is the pastor of the parish that runs the Newman Center.
    2. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will come together every other Monday night to partake in a discussion led by Father Jegar.”
      The Newman Center holds a men's and women's group every other Monday, led by Father Jegar.
  • Scheduled confession is offered every week, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday | 11:15am Reconciliation at St. Paul 12pm Mass at St. Paul”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Monday reconciliation at 11:15 AM and Mass at 12 PM at St. Paul.
      “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
      “Saturday | 3pm Reconciliation at St. Mary 4pm Mass at St. Mary”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Saturday reconciliation at 3 PM and Mass at 4 PM at St. Mary.
  • The Newman Center lists retreats, a spring break service trip and a food pantry volunteer program.
    Sources (1)
    1. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To kickoff each school year, we hold an afternoon/evening retreat as our first big event”
      The Newman Center holds an opening retreat at the start of each school year.
      “During the Fall and Spring semesters, there is the opportunity to attend a silent retreat from Friday evening until Sunday morning.”
      The Newman Center offers silent retreats in the fall and spring semesters.
      “During Ferris State’s spring break, a group of students will go down to Chicago each year to volunteer with The Mission of Our Lady of The Angels.”
      Students make a spring break service trip to Chicago each year.
      “Outside of classes, students have the chance to volunteer at the local food pantry”
      Students may volunteer at a local food pantry through the Newman Center.

Concerns

  • The Wednesday candle-lit Mass is listed only when Ferris State is in session.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wednesday | 7:30pm Adoration & Reconciliation at St. Paul 8:15pm Candle lit Mass at St. Paul *only when Ferris State is in session”
      The 2026-27 parish schedule lists Wednesday adoration and reconciliation at 7:30 PM and a candle-lit Mass at 8:15 PM at St. Paul, when Ferris is in session.
  • The Newman Center's pages list one student group, the men's and women's group.
    Sources (1)
    1. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will come together every other Monday night to partake in a discussion led by Father Jegar.”
      The Newman Center holds a men's and women's group every other Monday, led by Father Jegar.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Paul Newman Center

  • Address: 1009 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
  • Distance from campus: 1.6 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: church (St. Paul)

View on map ↗

Source: stmarystpaulbr.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, stmarystpaulbr.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 7 location not published

Service 2

  • Spring break mission trip to ChicagoOff campus
    Ferris spring break, each year
    Students volunteer with The Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in Chicago.
  • Food pantry volunteering
    Volunteering at a local food pantry and at parish events.

Other 1

  • Campus outreachOn campus
    Outreach on Ferris State's campus, such as a tent set-up with apple cider and root beer floats.

Faith formation 2

  • Men's and women's group
    Every other Monday night
    Discussion led by Father Jegar on topics such as Theology of the Body and the Catechism, followed by adoration.
  • Fireside Theology
    Every other Thursday
    Talks by different speakers on topics such as marriage, health and faith.

Retreats 2

  • Ignite Retreat
    Start of each school year
    Afternoon or evening retreat with activities, a speaker and adoration.
  • Silent retreats
    Fall and spring semesters, Friday evening to Sunday morning
    Silent weekend retreats with a speaker, perpetual adoration, small group discussion and Mass.

Social life 2

  • Student brunch
    Sundays after the 12 PM Mass
    Homemade brunch prepared by parishioners for students.
  • Pints with the Priest
    21-and-over event that helps older students prepare for life after college, with a virtue-based activity.

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. St. Paul Newman Center | St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Churchstmarystpaulbr.org/church/ministries/newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Saint Paul Newman Center is an apostolate of St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Church which serves the students of Ferris State University.”
    The St. Paul Newman Center is the parish's campus ministry for Ferris State students.
    “The Saint Paul Newman Center is an apostolate of St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Church which serves the students of Ferris State University.”
    The St. Paul Newman Center is the parish's campus ministry for Ferris State students.
    “1009 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 Phone: (231) 796-5202”
    The Newman Center's address and the parish phone number are 1009 Marion Avenue and 796-5202.
  2. Young Adult | Diocese of Grand Rapidsgrdiocese.org/ministries/young-adult · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Ferris State University Big Rapids”
    The Diocese of Grand Rapids lists Ferris State University in Big Rapids under its campus ministries.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Jegar Fickel (Pastor, St. Mary-St. Paul Catholic Church (leads Newman Center discussions)) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
57 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.47%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.78%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,012 · ACT 22
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.15 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$9,659

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
8,940
Total students9,918
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$8,624
Cost of attendance (per year)$27,048
Median federal debt at graduation$21,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
47%
First-year retention78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$54,735
Admission rate91%
Students receiving Pell grants34%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1012
SAT reading & writing460–570
SAT math430–550
ACT composite20–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 62 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Grand Rapids

The Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Saint Andrew

Source: grdiocese.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Ferris State University a Catholic college?
No. Ferris State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Paul Newman Center.
What is Ferris State University’s Catholic Life Score?
73 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Ferris State University?
Mass is listed at St. Mary and St. Paul. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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