Feb. 21, 2025
Ferris State website named among 10 best collegiate sites for third year in a row
Ferris State University’s website has been named among the 10 best collegiate sites in the nation for the third year in a row, with experts saying the site “sets a standard for digital engagement in higher education.”
Ferris State’s ferris.edu website was recognized for excellence in website design and management by Modern Campus, a content management firm that works with about 4,500 college and university websites.
The 2024 winning websites were recognized for their effectiveness at providing students with informative content and engaging user experiences, driving conversions, maintaining interest, and improving enrollments, the company said.
"Our recognition as one of Modern Campus's Top 10 Higher Ed Websites of 2024 is a testament to our unwavering commitment to students and their success," said Eric Hazen, Ferris State’s executive director for Digital Experience and Marketing. "We’ve transformed the traditional higher education website, cutting through complexity to deliver an intuitive, engaging, and powerful digital experience—one that truly showcases the incredible opportunities at Ferris State."
Ferris State also was recognized as a Top 10 Higher Ed Website in 2022 and 2023.
Websites were saluted for factors including engaging website design, easy navigation with clear calls to action, mobile friendliness of the website, integrated catalogs with up-to-date career data, personalized experiences, and brand consistency across subdomains.
The Ferris State website was saluted for creating a personalized experience tailored to the visitor’s profile. The website’s clickthrough rate increased by 2,800 percent using personalization.
“The Ferris State University website stands out as a repeat award winner for its exceptional personalization and dynamic features tailored to diverse audiences,” the company said. “From prospective students exploring programs to alumni reconnecting, the site delivers customized content based on user behavior, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
Modern Campus said Ferris State’s level of personalization creates an intuitive experience that strengthens attraction, engagement and retention. Interactive tools like virtual tours, financial aid calculators and application tracking empower users to make informed decisions with ease.
“The Bulldog Connect page enhances engagement by offering an accessible hub for campus activities, organizations and student affairs fostering a strong sense of community, “The company said. “Responsive design ensures accessibility across all devices, while consistent branding, student stories and faculty highlights build a strong connection with the university. By integrating personalization, functionality and innovation, Ferris.edu sets a standard for digital engagement in higher education.”
Joining Ferris State on the list of best websites are Aquinas College in Grand Rapids; California Baptist University in Riverside, California; Eastern Iowa Community Colleges in Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott, Iowa; Michigan Tech University in Houghton; North Central Michigan College in Petoskey; Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles; Pennsylvania Western University with campuses in California, Clarion and Edinboro, Pennsylvania; and Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington.