Grand Valley State University combines a 94.7% acceptance rate with mobility performance at the 92.1st percentile nationally. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university serves diverse student backgrounds while delivering solid post-graduation earnings and controlled debt levels.
Showing above average long-term value relative to educational investment
Above average cost management and moderate debt levels
Excellent performance in converting educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
Excellent performance in converting educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpen access with strong mobility outcomes
Grand Valley State University ranks #263 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 92.1st percentile demonstrating top-tier performance. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public university maintains open access admission with a 94.7% acceptance rate while delivering above average post-graduation outcomes.
Grand Valley State enrolls 25.8% Pell-eligible students and 27.3% first-generation students, positioning it as an Opportunity Builder institution that combines broad accessibility with strong economic outcomes. The university admits nearly all applicants while maintaining SAT scores well above average at the 88th percentile, with a typical range of 940-1190.
Graduates earn above average outcomes with median earnings of $56,118 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 60th percentile nationally. Compared to peer institutions with similar student demographics, Grand Valley State graduates earn $4,425 less annually than the peer median of $60,543, though this modest gap reflects the institution's mission to serve diverse student backgrounds while maintaining accessible admission standards.
Grand Valley State University combines open access with controlled costs and solid career preparation. With a 94.7% admission rate, the university provides educational opportunity to students across academic preparation levels while delivering median earnings of $56,118 ten years after enrollment.
Earnings span from $38,569 at the 25th percentile to $78,636 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths and program choices. Student debt remains manageable at $24,500 median, below the peer median of $20,000 by $4,500, though this results in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong career outcomes, particularly in business, health sciences, and education. Well-suited for working adults, transfer students (20.7%), and first-generation students (27.3%) who value a large public university with open admission and proven job market results.
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.
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This is the Grand Valley State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/grand-valley-state-university/analysis.
Grand Valley State University maintains an open access admission policy, admitting 94.7% of applicants—meaning roughly 19 in 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Grand Valley State well within the Open Access category (institutions admitting more than 75% of applicants).
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that Grand Valley State is significantly more accessible than typical four-year institutions, admitting 16.6 percentage points more applicants than peer schools. This level of accessibility reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations and provide educational opportunity regardless of academic preparation level.
For prospective students, Grand Valley State's admission rate means that meeting basic eligibility requirements typically results in admission. Students should focus on academic preparation for college-level coursework rather than competitive positioning against other applicants.
The high acceptance rate also means students can treat Grand Valley State as a reliable option when building their college lists, though they should still submit strong applications demonstrating readiness for university study. This accessibility enables the university to serve as an important pathway for first-generation students, transfer students, and those seeking second-chance opportunities in higher education.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Grand Valley State University's published cost of attendance reaches $26,578 annually, including $20,820 in out-of-state tuition, $11,142 for room and board, and $780 for books and supplies. In-state students pay $14,628 in tuition, reducing the total cost considerably.
However, the average student pays just $17,096 after financial aid, representing $9,482 in average savings from the sticker price. This net price falls $1,506 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating Grand Valley State provides relatively affordable access compared to similar institutions.
The university's cost structure reflects its public mission to provide accessible higher education while maintaining quality academic programs. Financial aid effectiveness helps reduce the burden on families across income levels, though the impact varies significantly based on family economic circumstances.
Students should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the published cost of attendance rarely reflects what families actually pay after grants, scholarships, and other aid.
Grand Valley State University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time. Median earnings increase from $47,840 six years after enrollment to $51,712 at eight years and $56,118 at ten years, representing 17.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on robust cohort sizes of 6,859 graduates at six years, 7,401 at eight years, and 6,929 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $4,156 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Grand Valley State in the 37th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $44,900, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 75th percentile reaching $78,636 compared to $38,569 at the 25th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 24.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Grand Valley State's earnings performance positions it above average nationally while serving a diverse student population through open access admission.
Artificial Intelligence.
111 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
16 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
36 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
56 graduates
Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician.
18 graduates
Grand Valley State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Digital Marketing ranks #47 nationally and #4 in Michigan, graduating 314 students with median earnings of $60,394 and a strong value score of 78.9.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences ranks #5 nationally and #2 in Michigan, graduating 276 students with median earnings of $54,508. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #82 nationally and #3 in Michigan, with 271 graduates earning $66,308.
Corrections Administration ranks #50 nationally and #3 in Michigan, graduating 165 students with earnings of $52,352. Education General ranks #10 nationally and #1 in Michigan, reflecting the university's strength in teacher preparation with 221 graduates earning $43,291.
Biology General serves as one of the largest programs, graduating 327 students annually with earnings of $42,578, demonstrating strong student demand in the life sciences.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Arkansas Similar quality tier (#267 ranked) | AR | 72% | $58,191 | #267 | Compare |
Tennessee Technological University Similar quality tier (#264 ranked) | TN | 83% | $48,501 | #264 | Compare |
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Similar quality tier in Midwest (#270 ranked) | IL | 97% | $56,346 | #270 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Similar quality tier (#263 ranked) | MA | 85% | $64,874 | #263 | Compare |
University Of Kentucky Similar quality tier (#272 ranked) | KY | 92% | $59,025 | #272 | Compare |
