About

About Grand Valley State University

public doctoral universityhealth sciences focusaccessible admissionslarge michigan campusbusiness and nursing strength

Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, MI, known for its health sciences focus, accessible admissions, and large michigan campus. With an acceptance rate of 90%, GVSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 3,875 students each year. GVSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 920–1030, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. GVSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $9,834 per year; the sticker price of $32,288 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Grand Valley State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

90%
Overall Accept Rate
2.00
Typical Admitted GPA
975
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 920 – 1030 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Grand Valley State University

Application Strategy
Grand Valley admits 90% of applicants, so your GPA and course rigor are the clearest way to stand out. Make sure your transcript shows a consistent upward trend or sustained strong performance in core academic subjects.
Essay Strategy
Grand Valley places low weight on essays in their review process, so keep your personal statement clear and genuine rather than overly polished. Focus on a specific experience or goal that connects to the programs or career paths you plan to pursue at GVSU.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Grand Valley State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$32k/yr$12.3k
30k-48k~$32k/yr$11.9k
48k-75k~$32k/yr$12.9k
75k-110k~$32k/yr$16.6k
110k+~$32k/yr$22.5k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

69%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$48k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
16:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
17,682
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

75%White
9%Hispanic
8%Black / African American
4%Two or More Races
3%Asian
1%International
1%Unknown / Unreported
0%American Indian / AK Native
Gender40% Men · 60% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status99% Citizens and Immigrants · 1% International