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Grand Valley State University
Most applicants get into Grand Valley State University — 83% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Grand Valley State University anchors the college town of Allendale, MI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering, where graduates median $103,253 four years out. Faculty pay averages $121,872 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 18,854 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 76.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 940 and 1190 — below the MI middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Grand Valley State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Grand Valley State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 940–1190 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Grand Valley State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 480 | 540 | 600 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 530 | 590 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Grand Valley State University received 24,297 applications and admitted 23,008 (94.7%), with 4,836 enrolling.
How Grand Valley State University compares
| Grand Valley State University | Michigan median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 83% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $15,140 | $24,944 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $56,118 | $54,739 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Grand Valley State University student earns $56,118 — 3% above the Michigan median of $54,739 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Grand Valley State University prices by residency: $15,140 in-state versus $21,548 out-of-state — a $6,408 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
18,854 undergraduates make Grand Valley State University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
67% graduate within six years. Roughly 33% don't — ask a Grand Valley State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Grand Valley State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $103,253 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $100,456 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $95,416 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $94,330 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,565 |
| Information Science/Studies | $81,420 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $80,398 |
| International Business | $80,324 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,153 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $79,324 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,188 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $77,581 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $75,800 |
| Statistics | $74,229 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $73,241 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,348 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $70,655 |
| Chemistry | $70,611 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $69,603 |
| Marketing | $69,592 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $63,043 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $62,501 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $62,482 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $61,868 |
| Geography and Cartography | $61,831 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $61,553 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $59,476 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $58,802 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $58,413 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $57,842 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $57,771 |
| Legal Support Services | $57,728 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $57,599 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,537 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $53,715 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $53,175 |
| Social Sciences, General | $52,520 |
| Biology, General | $52,176 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $51,872 |
| Mathematics | $51,753 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $51,497 |
| Psychology, General | $51,460 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $51,027 |
| Social Work | $50,690 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $50,291 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $49,814 |
| Public Administration | $49,776 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $49,612 |
| Education, General | $49,225 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,113 |
| Music | $49,111 |
| Political Science and Government | $48,896 |
| Sociology | $48,664 |
| History | $47,218 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,938 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,237 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $45,090 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $43,552 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $43,011 |
| Anthropology | $42,796 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,307 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,082 |
Median earnings for these 62 Grand Valley State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $56,118 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 21 additional Grand Valley State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Grand Valley State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 940–1190 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 83% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Grand Valley State University's acceptance rate?
94.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 23,008 admitted from 24,297 applicants.
How much does Grand Valley State University cost?
In-state tuition is $15,140; out-of-state students pay $21,548. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Grand Valley State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $56,118 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Michigan
- Cornerstone University — 77.8% admitted
- Kettering University — 78.7% admitted
- Hope College — 79.2% admitted
- Eastern Michigan University — 79.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.