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Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public university located in Allendale, Michigan. Established in 1960, GVSU has steadily grown to become one of the largest universities in Michigan, with a total enrollment of over 24,000 students. The university provides a comprehensive range of academic programs, offering over 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight colleges, including liberal arts and sciences, business, health professions, and engineering.
GVSU prides itself on providing an exceptional educational experience that combines academic rigor with practical application. The university offers a diverse range of experiential learning opportunities, including internships, co-op programs, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research projects. These opportunities enable students to gain real-world experience, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Beyond academics, GVSU fosters a vibrant campus community with a wide array of extracurricular activities and organizations for students to engage in. With over 400 student organizations, including clubs, honor societies, and sports teams, students have ample opportunities to pursue their interests, develop leadership skills, and build lasting friendships. Additionally, GVSU has state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, and a renowned library, providing students access to resources that support their academic pursuits. Overall, Grand Valley State University is committed to delivering a well-rounded education that empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
Grand Valley State University is a public university located in Allendale, MI. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The freshman retention rate at Grand Valley State University is 76% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is May 1. Learn more about what Grand Valley State University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
19,243
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
94%
Acceptance Rate
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. How difficult is it to get admitted to Grand Valley State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 23,007 in 2024. Grand Valley State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 59% and ACT scores 5%. 3.81% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 18% between 1,200 and 1,399, 44.14% between 1,000 and 1,199, 30% of the students between 800 and 999, and 4% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18, 36 between 24-29, 37 in the range between 18-23, and 9 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.5. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Grand Valley State University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 1.
94%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Grand Valley State University was 76%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right fit for you is not easy. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Grand Valley State University in 2024 was 22,269.
That year, the institution had 8% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 19,243, 248 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 1,222 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 7,227 male and 11,581 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 458 full-time graduate male and 1,134 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 525 Asian students and 1,224 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,485 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 699 as multirace. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 72 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 146 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $15,502. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $21,894. For international students, tuition fees at this school totaled $21,548.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $21,894 | Not Available | $ 21,894 |
| In-State | $15,502 | Not Available | $15,502 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. The approximate price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $800.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Grand Valley State University was $11,410 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $8,300 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,570.
| Tuition | $ 15,502 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,410 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 27,712 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid available to students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Grand Valley State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 3,210 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $13,966.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
8,966 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Grand Valley State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 9,947. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $33,226,423, and state $16,416,742. The students of Grand Valley State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $55,673,425, and external in the amount of $4,519,775.
$4,554
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,140 students overall (including freshmen) at Grand Valley State University in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 479 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $22,995,028. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,374,575 USD.
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Grand Valley State University was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,812 faculty members. This number included 770 male and 1,008 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Grand Valley State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Grand Valley State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Grand Valley State University.
It has a campus size of 1,391 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 486 open-membership organizations at Grand Valley State University. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The student organization that is most favored by students is Colleges Against Cancer, followed by Dance Troupe and Hospitality and tourism Management Club. Other popular organizations at Grand Valley State University are Alternative Breaks and Habitat for Humanity.
Those who have a talent for music can join the Grand Valley State University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a passion for media and communication? Grand Valley State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Grand Valley State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Grand Valley State University.
All in all, campus life at Grand Valley State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Grand Valley State University.
Career Counselling
At Grand Valley State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI.
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Grand Valley State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Grand Valley State University is 94%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Grand Valley State University is 76%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.