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Area Guide

Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI

Stand by the crimson and gold, cheer those Bulldogs!

FSU Ferris Ferris State

Established in 1884, Ferris State University offers more than 180 academic programs granting a range of degrees, from the associate to the doctoral level. Ferris State is distinguished by its career-oriented approach to education, where theory meets practice, along with unique degrees that are not available anywhere else in the country. Cutting-edge research and hands-on learning opportunities make Ferris a great place to develop specialized knowledge and skills. Big Rapids is a mid-size town filled with an array of apartments, condos, and houses available for rent near the FSU campus. Convenience to U.S. 131 allows for simple commutes to and from Ferris State as well. More than 220 registered student organizations, NCAA Division II Bulldogs athletics, museums, and art galleries on campus offer a wide range of things to do. The Muskegon River is located nearby the Ferris campus, offering ample opportunities to go tubing, fishing, or swimming. The bustle of city life isn’t too far from Ferris State either, with both Detroit and Chicago less than four hours away.

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Big Rapids, MI is $750 for one bedroom, and $925 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in Big Rapids has increased by 0.9% in the past year.

  • 1 BR

  • 524 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $750/month

    Average Rent

  • 2 BR

  • 851 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $925/month

    Average Rent

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Daily Essentials

Supermarket Within a 20 Minute Walk

Groceries

40 / 100

Fair Restaurant Variety Nearby

Restaurants

50 / 100

Good Café Variety Nearby

Cafes

60 / 100

Fair Variety of Shops Nearby

Shopping

50 / 100

Local Vibe

Mostly Calm Atmosphere

Vibrancy

20 / 100

Fair Nightlife Variety Nearby

Nightlife

40 / 100

Extremely Noisy

Quiet Score

10 / 100

Schools

Riverview Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

362 Students

Brookside Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

347 Students

Big Rapids Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

684 Students

Crossroads Charter Academy (Pk-6)

Public

Grades K-5

103 Students

Big Rapids Virtual School

Public

Grades K-12

90 Students

Big Rapids Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

684 Students

Crossroads Charter Academy (7-12)

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

Big Rapids Virtual School

Public

Grades K-12

90 Students

Mecosta-Osceola Education Center

Public

Grades PK-12

139 Students

Big Rapids High School

Public

Grades 9-12

729 Students

Crossroads Charter Academy (7-12)

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

Big Rapids Virtual School

Public

Grades K-12

90 Students

Mecosta-Osceola Education Center

Public

Grades PK-12

139 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Card Wildlife Education Center

Military Bases

Top Apartments Near Ferris State University

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.