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Grand Valley State University

#7 in Top Public Universities in Michigan
  • 4 Year
  • Allendale, MI
  • 3,699 reviews
    How to Apply
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      B
    2. Value
      B+
    3. Diversity
      B+
    4. Campus
      A
    5. Athletics
      A+
    6. Party Scene
      B+
    7. Professors
      B
    8. Location
      B-
    9. Dorms
      A-
    10. Campus Food
      A-
    11. Student Life
      A
    12. Safety
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    Grand Valley State is an above-average public university located in Allendale, Michigan in the Grand Rapids Area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 19,373 undergraduate students. The Grand Valley State acceptance rate is 83%. Popular majors include Education, Marketing, and Psychology. Graduating 66% of students, Grand Valley State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $35,300.
    gvsu.edu
    (616) 331-5000
    One Campus Drive
    Allendale, MI 49401
    About Grand Valley State University...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division II (with football)
    Athletic Conference
    Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
    Compare to Other Colleges

    Grand Valley State University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    83%
    Application Deadline
    Rolling Admissions
    SAT Range
    1050-1240
    ACT Range
    21-27
    Application Fee
    $30
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    No

    Cost

    Net Price
    $17,184/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $6,734/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    90%

    Academics

    Professors
    B
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    16:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    Yes
    85%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.220 responses
    69%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.243 responses
    58%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.243 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Education
      314 Graduates
    • Marketing
      308 Graduates
    • Psychology
      295 Graduates
    • Pre-Medicine Studies
      266 Graduates
    • Kinesiology and Exercise Science
      262 Graduates
    • Health Professions
      243 Graduates
    • Finance
      227 Graduates
    • Nursing
      214 Graduates
    • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
      173 Graduates
    • Accounting
      169 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    19,373Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    2,564
    Undergrads Over 25
    4%
    Pell Grant
    29%
    Varsity Athletes
    3%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 156 responses
    Report
    • Friendly
      42%
    • Good people
      16%
    • Hard working
      15%
    • Sociable
      12%
    • Rich
      4%
    • Unique and hardworking
      3%
    • Not very friendly toward " outsiders"
      3%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    65%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.274 responses
    Poll
    62%
    of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.332 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 168 responses
    Report
    • Opportunities
      26%
    • Diverse
      15%
    • Academic
      12%
    • Cares about student success
      12%
    • Undergrad
      8%
    • Awesome
      8%
    • Expensive
      7%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $42,800/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    66%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    95%
    National
    83%
    86%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.153 responses
    Colleges like Grand Valley State University
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    Grand Valley State University Reviews

    3,699 reviews
    All Categories
    I love going to Grand Valley! Most of my classes are smaller (about 30 students) per class and I can easily ask my professors for help. Both Allendale and the downtown campus are very nice and the free bus makes getting between the two very easy. There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and join new clubs even when you're not a freshman. The dorms and on-campus housing are also pretty nice and the food is ok to good; no complaints. The party scene is ok, definitely much tamer compared to some other universities in the general area.
    Some cons include the following: Sports aren't a big deal here and most students are not involved with athletics. Diversity is incredibly lacking. I'm guessing about 80% of student here are white. There's not much going on in Allendale outside of the university but downtown GR is just about 20 minutes away so it's not that big of a dealbreaker.
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    I love the size of Grand Valley and it is a perfect transition for people from small and large high schools. The people are so kind, supportive, and welcoming! The university’s student social life opportunities are amazing! It’s seems as like there is always something going on and there is something for everybody! The professor are invested in your personal journey and are extremely kind! It is an amazing opportunity to have Grand Rapids bear for internships and social life! This university really supports the individual students and helps us!
    Grand Valley State University is a great college to attend! It has the most beautiful campus with many great opportunities for students. They have over 400 clubs to choose from and if you can't find one that fits you, you can always create a new one. Grand Valley is also located near the city of Grand Rapids which is an ever-evolving city with great activities for any young person. Grand Valley is also a big enough school to feel independent and free but also small enough that you see familiar faces daily. My overall experience at Grand Valley has been amazing and I would recommend this school to anyone and everyone!