He entered Marshall College in 1839, founded four years earlier and named after the United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. (In 1853 the College merged to become the present day Franklin and Marshall College.) Ferrel studied at Marshall College for two years but by that time his savings were exhausted and he had to return to school teaching to make enough money to allow him to complete his studies.
Siya ipinasok Marshall College in 1839, itinatag ng apat na taon na mas maaga at pangalan pagkatapos ng Pilipinas Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, sa Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. (Sa 1853 ang College daop upang maging sa kasalukuyan araw Franklin at Marshall College.) Ferrel-aral sa Marshall College para sa dalawang taon, ngunit sa pamamagitan ng panahon na ang kanyang savings ay ubos na ubos at niya upang bumalik sa paaralan ang pagtuturo upang gumawa ng sapat na salapi upang payagan sa kanya upang makumpleto sa kanyang pag-aaral.