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Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Town · 18,854 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,317
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
68%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$56,118
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
83%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a prominent public institution in West Michigan, best known for its high-impact undergraduate teaching and strong academic programs in nursing, health professions, engineering, and business. The university features a unique multi-campus structure, pairing a classic, vibrant residential campus in Allendale with specialized academic centers along downtown Grand Rapids' renowned "Medical Mile." Campus culture is characterized by spirited NCAA Division II Laker athletics, a welcoming and accessible faculty, and robust co-op and internship pipelines connected to the region’s thriving industries.


Wikipedia:Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1960 as Grand Valley State College. Its main campus is situated on 1,322 acres (5.35 km2) approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Grand Rapids. The university also features campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland and regional centers in Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City.

Location
Allendale, MI, 49401-9403 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MKE · Milwaukee
102 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$15,140$21,548
Housing & food (on campus)$11,550$11,550
Books & supplies$800$800
Cost of attendance$28,367$40,298
Average net price$16,317Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$21,548
In-state: $15,140
Housing & food (on campus)$11,550
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$40,298
In-state: $28,367
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $16,317
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.gvsu.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state
Tuition$23,848
Housing$12,738
Books & supplies$832
Personal expenses$2,880
Total published by the school$40,298
Source: www.gvsu.edu
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$12,272
$30–48k
$11,902
$48–75k
$12,861
$75–110k
$16,609
$110k+
$22,534
Grants from the school
87% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $5,655
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$5,217
Share of first-years who get one29%
Source: Grand Valley State University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
68%
Within 4 yrs
45%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
14%
Pell students: 56.8% · others: 70.8% 
8 yrs after starting
68% graduated · 21% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 10% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$47,840
10 yrs after entry$56,118
Debt
Median at graduation$24,500
Monthly payment$260
Middle 50% owe$8.3k–$28k
90th percentile$36,751
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
83%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1074
R 480–600 · M 460–590
SAT middle 50%: 940–1190
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 82.5% · women 83.4% 
Yield: 18.6% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Grand Valley State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 40%Women 60%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
29%
First-gen
27%
Family income
$63,788
Independent
12%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
9%
Where first-years come from
In state (MI)
91.6%
Out of state
7.5%
International
0.9%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 198 · OH 28 · IN 24 · WI 13 · MN 9

Race & ethnicity
White
75%
Hispanic
9%
Black
8%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$47,840
After 10 yrs
$56,118
Biology, General282
Psychology, General276
Marketing269
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing239
Finance and Financial Management Services239
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness235
Education, General224
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other183
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication140
Accounting and Related Services123
Criminal Justice and Corrections121
Social Work121
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods120
Computer and Information Sciences, General114
Business Administration, Management and Operations113
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas112
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$209M
Full-time faculty
66%
Faculty salary
$10,156/mo
Teaching spend
$10,704
per student
Federal loans
50%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$7M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Grand Valley State University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search