All schools
PublicSuburban

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan 48710

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution in University Center with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1051, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 6K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

54% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,955 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,582.

Established
1963
Motto
It's a Great Day to be a Cardinal!
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

73%Acceptance
1051SAT Avg
6,004Students
15:1Student:Faculty
54%Grad Rate
$51,955Earnings 10yr
$14,582Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate72.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1051

Reading & WritingMid: 545
480590
MathMid: 520
460570

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1925

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$12,240
Tuition (out-of-state)$28,752
Room & Board$11,700
Books & Supplies$1,120
Total Cost of Attendance$24,043
Average Net Price$14,582
Median Debt at Graduation$25,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$265

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,545
$30–48K$11,338
$48–75K$13,963
$75–110K$16,972
$110K+$18,491

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

49.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

42

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

5

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

12

Drug Arrests

9

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (80)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
6,004
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
32%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 8%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate53.8%
Freshman Retention75.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,530
10 Years$51,955

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

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Baseball basketballBasketball crossIce hockey

History & Fun Facts

  • History Higher education in the Saginaw Valley region dates back to the founding of Bay City Junior College in 1922.
  • Though the junior college was replaced by Delta College in 1961, the area still lacked a four-year baccalaureate institution.
  • Saginaw Valley College was founded as a private institution in November 1963, and became a state-supported institution in 1965.
  • The name changed to Saginaw Valley State College in 1974 and again to Saginaw Valley State University in 1987.
  • In 1955, civic leaders in the Saginaw Valley region met to discuss prospects for a local institution of higher education.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

93Average

Estimated from MI state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Detroitpop. 640K
94 mi(163 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
181 mi(314 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
201 mi(348 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit95 mi
CLE Cleveland181 mi
MKE Milwaukee202 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
New York, NY545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
Hartford, CT586 mi · ~16h 56m drive
Providence, RI648 mi · ~18h 43m drive
Albany, NY518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Syracuse, NY394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Rochester, NY320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Buffalo, NY260 mi · ~7h 31m drive
Philadelphia, PA516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA294 mi · ~8h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Newark, NJ537 mi · ~15h 31m drive
Washington, DC480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
Baltimore, MD480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
Atlanta, GA675 mi · ~19h 30m drive
Charlotte, NC596 mi · ~17h 13m drive
Raleigh, NC604 mi · ~17h 27m drive
Miami, FL1245 mi · ~35h 58m drive
Orlando, FL1044 mi · ~30h 10m drive
Tampa, FL1078 mi · ~31h 9m drive
Nashville, TN529 mi · ~15h 17m drive
New Orleans, LA995 mi · ~28h 45m drive
Richmond, VA536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Chicago, IL218 mi · ~6h 18m drive
Detroit, MI94 mi · ~2h 43m drive
Minneapolis, MN471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
St. Louis, MO468 mi · ~13h 31m drive
Kansas City, MO629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Indianapolis, IN282 mi · ~8h 9m drive
Columbus, OH250 mi · ~7h 13m drive
Cleveland, OH181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Milwaukee, WI201 mi · ~5h 48m drive
Dallas, TX1016 mi · ~29h 21m drive
Houston, TX1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Austin, TX1187 mi · ~34h 17m drive
San Antonio, TX1261 mi · ~36h 26m drive
Los Angeles, CA1942 mi · ~56h 6m drive
San Francisco, CA2036 mi · ~58h 49m drive
San Diego, CA1937 mi · ~55h 57m drive
Seattle, WA1858 mi · ~53h 41m drive
Portland, OR1894 mi · ~54h 43m drive
Denver, CO1114 mi · ~32h 11m drive
Phoenix, AZ1661 mi · ~47h 59m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1437 mi · ~41h 31m drive
Honolulu, HI4425 mi · ~127h 50m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Saginaw Valley State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications