Study in Japan at Ferris University: Programs, Tuition & Careers

Thinking about Japan for your degree? Ferris University (Ferris Jogakuin University) in Yokohama blends a 150+ year tradition of educating women “For Others” with practical, globally focused programs. The main Ryokuen Campus is a leafy residential hub, while the historic Yamate Campus houses advanced music facilities. Courses emphasize languages, intercultural competency, and strong career coaching from year one. International students are supported by an approachable International Center and dedicated life, learning, and career services. Below you’ll find quick facts, a concise history, Ferris’ standout strengths, exchange options, climate and lifestyle notes, and recent outcomes—so you can judge whether Ferris fits your study-in-Japan plan.

Quick Facts — Ferris University (Yokohama)

Type	Private women’s university (undergraduate); selected graduate programs coeducational. Academic Organization (EN)
Total Students	2,132 (2,104 undergraduates; 28 graduate) — as of May 1, 2023. University Outline
Campuses	Ryokuen Campus (Main); Yamate Campus (College of Music). Access Maps
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Letters (English Language & Literature; Japanese Language & Literature; Communication Studies); Faculty of Global & Intercultural Studies (Department of Global & Intercultural Studies); College of Music (Department of Musical Arts). Academics
Tuition Fees (UG)	Admission fee ¥200,000; Tuition approx. ¥825,000 / year (reference for 2024). JPSS (EN)
Gender Ratio	Undergraduate: women only; Graduate: partly coeducational (notably Graduate School of Global & Intercultural Studies). Academic Organization (EN)
International-Student %	≈1.1% degree-seeking (24/2,132) and ≈1.6% including exchange (35/2,132), as of May 1, 2024. Intl. Student Disclosure (JP) / Outline
Students per Staff	≈29 : 1 (2,132 students / 74 tenured faculty). Outline

Notes: Tuition varies by program and year; always confirm the latest fees. “Students per staff” above is a simple student-to-tenured-faculty ratio for a quick sense of scale (class sizes differ by course). International-student share uses the latest disclosure of degree-seeking (私費留学生) plus exchange students. Evidence links above open in new tabs.

Campus Maps

Ryokuen Campus (Yokohama)

Address: 4-5-3 Ryokuen, Izumi-ku, Yokohama 245-8650, Japan

View on Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Yamate Campus (Yokohama)

Address: 37 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-8651, Japan

View on Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Mission, History & Founding Story

Ferris University’s roots stretch back to the early Meiji period, when American missionary educator Mary E. Kidder helped found what became Ferris Seminary in 1870 with the support of physician-linguist James Curtis Hepburn—yes, the Hepburn behind the famous romanization of Japanese. That small school for girls in Yokohama grew from a bold idea for its time: equip women with English, scholarship, and moral leadership so they could contribute to a rapidly modernizing society. The spirit that guided the early Ferris community was later articulated as the university’s motto, “For Others,” encouraging students to use learning in service of people and the common good. Founding Spirit (EN) / History of Ferris (EN)

The institution evolved across Japan’s educational reforms: it became a junior college in 1950 and a four-year college in 1965. In 1988, the university opened the modern Ryokuen Campus in Izumi-ku as its main base. A year later, the College of Music was founded—anchored by specialized facilities at the historic Yamate Campus overlooking Yokohama’s harbor. The present academic structure includes the Faculty of Letters, the Faculty of Global & Intercultural Studies, and the College of Music, along with graduate schools in Humanities, Global & Intercultural Studies, and Music. History timeline / University Outline

Today, Ferris remains undergraduate women-only while offering coeducational study at select graduate levels—most notably in Global & Intercultural Studies. The through-line is consistent: small, discussion-forward classes; intensive language learning and intercultural training; and practical experiences that connect study to society—internships, fieldwork, and international exchanges. It’s a mission that resonates with globally minded students who want a supportive community and strong coaching toward meaningful careers. Academic Organization / Career Support

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Focus: Global & Intercultural Studies

If you’re aiming for an international career—from NGOs and media to global business or public service—the Faculty of Global & Intercultural Studies (GIS) is Ferris’ signature offering. The faculty explicitly designs small-sized classes that cultivate the perspective, ideas, and energy students need to work across borders. Curricula emphasize comparative culture and society, language mastery, communication, area studies, and problem-solving across cultures. Faculty page (EN)

A major advantage is the integrated study-abroad architecture. Ferris partners with universities across Asia, Europe, and North America, allowing up to one academic year abroad with credit transfer so you can still graduate in four years. Current partners range from Tsinghua University and Ewha Womans University in Asia to the University of Sussex (UK), Mount Allison (Canada), Western Sydney University (Australia), and Washington College & Hope College (USA). Study Abroad Program (EN)

Other Signature Areas: Letters & Music

Faculty of Letters. Three departments—English Language & Literature, Japanese Language & Literature, and Communication Studies—blend critical reading/writing with fieldwork. Example: a semester placement in New Zealand for selected English majors underscores Ferris’ practical language approach. Faculty of Letters (EN)

College of Music. With foundational years on the Ryokuen Campus and advanced study at the Yamate Campus, Music offers conservatory-style training in performance and music arts, framed by the university’s liberal-arts ethos. College of Music (EN)

Languages Across the Curriculum

Ferris’ core requires sustained language study and communication practice—one reason many graduates land in globally facing roles. Besides English and Japanese, students can take additional languages as general subjects. Language learning is reinforced through writing, presentation, and field courses, plus overseas field studies where available. Foreign Languages (EN) / General Subjects (EN)

A Human-Scale Learning Environment

Ferris is intentionally small—2,132 students in total. Departments and seminar-style classes make it easy to know professors and advisors by name. While a simple student-to-tenured-faculty ratio is about 29:1 campus-wide, the Global & Intercultural Studies faculty highlights deliberately small classes to prioritize discussion, supervision, and project-based learning—useful if you prefer close guidance over large lecture halls. Outline / GIS (small classes)

Women’s Leadership Ethos—“For Others”

As one of Japan’s historic women’s universities, Ferris carries a mission that goes beyond credentials. “For Others” is not just a motto but a north star for coursework, volunteering, and career coaching—encouraging graduates to use professional skills ethically, with social impact in mind. Many international applicants value this framing because it connects language/cultural fluency to community service and leadership. Founding Spirit

Career Support That Starts in Year One

Ferris’ Career Development Office begins coaching in the first year via seminars, employer talks, interview practice, and one-to-one counseling. The latest outcomes (Class of 2024) show a 98.9% overall job placement rate among graduates seeking work, with the Faculty of Global & Intercultural Studies and the College of Music both reporting 100% placement. Graduates also proceed to graduate study in Japan and abroad. Career Support & Outcomes (EN)

Student Life for Internationals

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Well-being)

The International Center is your first stop for questions on admissions paperwork, residence status, course registration, and daily life in Yokohama. It coordinates with learning, life, and career support teams so you don’t bounce between offices. International Center (EN)

For well-being, the Health Care Room offers check-ups and health advice, while the Student Counseling Room provides confidential counseling on study, stress, relationships, clubs, finances, and more—available to all students, including international enrollees. Life Support (EN)

Clubs & Circles

Ferris has a typical Japanese “circle” culture—from music and performance groups to language, volunteer, and sports circles—where many international students find friends quickly. If you’re unsure where to start, ask the Counseling Room or International Center to point you to welcoming clubs in English or with bilingual members. Student Life services

Language-Exchange & Peer Support

While formal “buddy” programs may vary by year, Ferris’ small size works to your advantage: international students can quickly build peer networks through seminar classes, circles, and the International Center’s activities. Ask staff about language-exchange opportunities or volunteer English/Japanese conversation meetups running that term. International Center (EN)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

Ferris maintains exchange agreements with 20 universities in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Exchanges are typically up to one academic year, with earned credits counting toward graduation (so you can still finish in four years). Below is a snapshot; see the official page for the current list and application windows. Study Abroad Program (EN)

Region	Example Partner(s)
China / Taiwan / Korea / SE Asia	Tsinghua University, East China Normal University, Ewha Womans University, Silla University, Duksung Women’s University, Silliman University, Univ. of the Philippines Diliman, Universitas Gadjah Mada
United States	Hope College, Washington College, Rosemont College
United Kingdom	University of Sussex
Canada	Mount Allison University
Australia	Western Sydney University
France / Germany / Spain / Slovakia	Université Catholique de l’Ouest, Heinrich Heine University, Bremen University of the Arts, Universidad de Salamanca, Comenius University in Bratislava

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Yokohama)

Weather at a glance (recent years). Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Yokohama station (WMO 47670) monthly tables (updated monthly), recent Augusts typically see mean daily highs around the low 30s °C (≈31 °C) and warm nights around the mid-20s; Januarys hover near 10 °C by day with night-time lows around 3–5 °C. Expect humid rainy spells in June–July and typhoon season influences in late summer; autumn is crisp and sunny. Check the station data for month-by-month detail. JMA Monthly Climate (EN)

Lifestyle and safety. Yokohama is a port city with an easy urban vibe—bayfront parks, Chinatown, and Minato Mirai’s museums and concert halls—yet it’s calmer (and often more affordable) than central Tokyo. From Ryokuen Campus, you can reach the city center by train and access Tokyo in under an hour for internships or day trips. For inspiration on daily life and things to do, see a study-abroad overview of Yokohama in English. Life in Yokohama (EN)

International Student Statistics

Ferris is a boutique environment for international students. The university reports that approximately 30–40 international students study on campus in a typical year, with recent nationalities including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia. International Students (JP)

As of May 1, 2024, official disclosure shows 24 degree-seeking international students (私費留学生) and 11 exchange students. Distribution by faculty: Global & Intercultural Studies 14 (degree-seeking) + 6 (exchange), Letters 8 + 4, Music 0 + 1; two degree-seeking graduate students (Humanities 1; Global & Intercultural Studies 1). Disclosure PDF (JP, 2024-05-01)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Ferris invests early in employability—seminars, alumni meetups, broadcaster-style voice training, interview practice, and individualized counseling. Outcomes publicized for 2024 show robust results across faculties (job seekers basis): 98.9% overall placement, with 97.7% for Letters and 100% for both Global & Intercultural Studies and Music. Graduates pursue roles as company employees (private sector dominates), public servants, teachers, and continue to graduate study (domestic and overseas). Career Support & 2024 Outcomes (EN)

Faculty (2024)	Grad. seeking work	Employed	Placement Rate
Faculty of Letters	216	211	97.7%
Faculty of Global & Intercultural Studies	167	167	100.0%
College of Music	65	65	100.0%
Total	448	443	98.9%

If you are aiming for global career tracks, leverage Ferris’ exchange partners, language courses, and career seminars early. Many students combine a semester abroad with internships in the Tokyo–Yokohama area during junior or senior year. Study Abroad Program / Career Support