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Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley

Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Grand Valley State University is a public institution in Allendale with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1079, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 19.1K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $56,118 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,096.

Established
1960
Motto
Educating students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies.
Mascot
Louie the Laker
Type
Public university
Conference
Great Lakes
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

95%Acceptance
1079SAT Avg
19,073Students
15:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$56,118Earnings 10yr
$17,096Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate94.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1079

Reading & Writing
480600
Math
460590

ACT Score Range

Composite
2128

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,628
Tuition (out-of-state)$20,820
Room & Board$11,142
Books & Supplies$780
Total Cost of Attendance$26,578
Average Net Price$17,096
Median Debt at Graduation$24,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$260

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,395
$30–48K$11,390
$48–75K$14,507
$75–110K$20,860
$110K+$23,541

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

51.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

126

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

26

Burglary

5

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

9

Motor Vehicle Theft

15

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

38

Drug Arrests

29

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (148)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

77%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
19,073
Gender Split
60% / 40%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 77%
Black 6%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate68.7%
Freshman Retention76.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,840
10 Years$56,118

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#228
vs 2024
Forbes
#481
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#187
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History University presidents President Years James Zumberge 1962–1969 Arend Lubbers 1969–2001 Mark Murray 2001–2006 Thomas J.
  • In the following year the Michigan Legislature established the college.
  • In 1961, the Grand Valley State College Board of Control chose a 876-acre (3.
  • The middle-late 1960s saw the addition of the first dormitories and construction of new academic buildings, including the Zumberge Library, named for the university's first president, James Zumberge.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from MI state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Milwaukeepop. 570K
102 mi(177 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
116 mi(201 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
151 mi(262 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee101 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare123 mi
DTW Detroit139 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA754 mi · ~21h 47m drive
New York, NY631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
Hartford, CT679 mi · ~19h 37m drive
Providence, RI742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Albany, NY615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Rochester, NY418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
Buffalo, NY355 mi · ~10h 15m drive
Philadelphia, PA592 mi · ~17h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA350 mi · ~10h 7m drive
Harrisburg, PA500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
Newark, NJ622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Washington, DC540 mi · ~15h 36m drive
Baltimore, MD545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
Atlanta, GA642 mi · ~18h 33m drive
Charlotte, NC599 mi · ~17h 18m drive
Raleigh, NC629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Miami, FL1231 mi · ~35h 34m drive
Orlando, FL1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Tampa, FL1055 mi · ~30h 29m drive
Nashville, TN472 mi · ~13h 38m drive
New Orleans, LA928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Richmond, VA582 mi · ~16h 49m drive
Chicago, IL116 mi · ~3h 21m drive
Detroit, MI151 mi · ~4h 22m drive
Minneapolis, MN392 mi · ~11h 19m drive
St. Louis, MO375 mi · ~10h 50m drive
Kansas City, MO525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Indianapolis, IN221 mi · ~6h 23m drive
Columbus, OH256 mi · ~7h 24m drive
Cleveland, OH237 mi · ~6h 51m drive
Milwaukee, WI102 mi · ~2h 57m drive
Dallas, TX920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Houston, TX1052 mi · ~30h 23m drive
Austin, TX1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
San Antonio, TX1167 mi · ~33h 43m drive
Los Angeles, CA1841 mi · ~53h 11m drive
San Francisco, CA1940 mi · ~56h 3m drive
San Diego, CA1834 mi · ~52h 59m drive
Seattle, WA1783 mi · ~51h 31m drive
Portland, OR1814 mi · ~52h 24m drive
Denver, CO1013 mi · ~29h 16m drive
Phoenix, AZ1558 mi · ~45h 1m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1341 mi · ~38h 44m drive
Honolulu, HI4332 mi · ~125h 9m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Grand Valley State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications