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Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Town · 18,854 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,317
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
68%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$56,118
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
83%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale, Michigan, is highly regarded for its student-centered liberal education and powerhouse professional programs, particularly within the Seidman College of Business, the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, and its top-tier nursing and health sciences divisions. The vibrant campus culture offers a collaborative, tight-knit community with a strong "Laker pride" athletic tradition and easy access to both the scenic shores of Lake Michigan and the bustling city of Grand Rapids. What truly sets GVSU apart is its unique dual-campus setup—connecting a traditional, wooded campus in Allendale to an urban, career-focused hub in downtown Grand Rapids—along with an exceptional emphasis on undergraduate research that provides students with hands-on, graduate-level opportunities early in their academic careers.

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
Open in Google Maps
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, 2026-27
Grand Valley State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$23,848
Housing$12,738
Books & supplies$832
Personal expenses$2,880
Total published by the school$40,298
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,272
$30–48k
$11,902
$48–75k
$12,861
$75–110k
$16,609
$110k+
$22,534
Merit aid · 2025-26
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%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
45%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
14%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
68% graduated · 21% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 10% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
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 · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
83%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1074
R 480–600 · M 460–590
SAT middle 50%: 940–1190
40080012001600

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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%
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 · EADA 2024-25
  • 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 · measured 2020 & 2021
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?

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