Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Davenport University #767 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,888 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Davenport University sits in the 78.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Davenport University's composite ranking reflects strong financial outcomes relative to cost, with graduates consistently outperforming expectations. The institution's focus on career-aligned programs supports these results, particularly in business fields where employer demand is strong.
Azimuth ranks Davenport University #767 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davenport University enrolls roughly 3,134 undergraduates. Retention is 82.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 56.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a career-focused institution. Where Davenport University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Davenport University #314 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,888 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Davenport University in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's dominant focus on business and career-oriented programs, which connect students directly to regional employers and stable post-graduation pathways. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Davenport University sits in the 45.1 percentile for access and the 53.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a private tuition structure and a student population that is 33.8% Pell-eligible and 39.9% first-generation. Mobility outcomes are solid at the 2.0 percentile, indicating that graduates move into sustainable careers and earnings growth over time, even as the institution's overall composite reflects the trade-offs typical of career-focused private institutions.
Davenport University's published cost of attendance is $37,319. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,700, middle-income families pay around $22,856, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,703. Azimuth ranks Davenport University #658 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,037; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Davenport University's median four-year earnings of $69,009, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Davenport University is a strong fit for students interested in business and applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Grand Rapids, MI. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,009, placing Davenport University in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $12,888 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. 33.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.9% are first-generation students, reflecting Davenport's commitment to access. Low-income families pay a net price of approximately $28,703 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong earnings trajectories and an aid package that supports affordability.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Davenport University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Davenport University's published cost of attendance is $37,319. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,700, middle-income families pay around $22,856, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,703.
Azimuth ranks Davenport University #658 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,037; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Davenport University's median four-year earnings of $69,009, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Davenport University earn median 4-year earnings of $69,009, placing Davenport University in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,888 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Davenport University in the 90.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Davenport University #314 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Davenport University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 209 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $71,344, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 184 students earning $78,357 four years after enrollment, while Accounting and Digital Marketing round out the top programs with four-year earnings of $68,792 and $60,463 respectively.
These outcomes align with Business as the institution's primary focus, positioning graduates for stable career pathways in accounting, management, and finance roles where employer demand remains consistent.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
184 graduates
Computer Science
47 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
30 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
20 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
57 graduates
Davenport University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity. Business Administration is the largest program with 209 graduates, followed by Nursing, Accounting, Digital Marketing, and Health Administration.
Across 16 programs serving roughly 927 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and accounting fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $78,357 four years after enrollment across 184 graduates, followed by Computer Science with $76,469 and 57 graduates. Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management delivers $73,487 with 57 graduates, and Business Administration reaches $71,344 across 209 graduates.
These programs reflect Davenport University's positioning as a professional and business-oriented private institution. The program portfolio emphasizes direct workforce entry in accounting, finance, and business administration—high-mobility pathways where graduates move into stable, in-demand roles with consistent employer recruitment.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with labor-market demand in the region and nationally.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Similar quality tier (#20821 ranked) | NJ | 95% | $57,273 | #20821 | Compare |
Bryant University Similar quality tier (#20817 ranked) | RI | 65% | $90,008 | #20817 | Compare |
Carroll University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#20829 ranked) | WI | 67% | $58,009 | #20829 | Compare |
Wingate University Similar quality tier (#20287 ranked) | NC | 91% | $52,649 | #20287 | Compare |
Smith College Similar quality tier (#20284 ranked) | MA | 21% | $64,027 | #20284 | Compare |