Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Grand Valley State graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression from early to mid-career periods. 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 between the six-year and ten-year marks.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $24,500 in debt with typical earnings.
Student debt levels at Grand Valley State reflect moderate borrowing patterns aligned with the university's accessible mission. Median debt reaches $24,500, above the peer median of $20,000 by $4,500, indicating higher borrowing among Grand Valley State graduates.
Grand Valley State University ranks at the 55.3rd percentile for return on investment, indicating above average performance among four-year institutions. Graduates earn $4,156 below expectations based on student demographics and program mix, placing the institution in the 37th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
Approximately 24.6% of Grand Valley State graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce ent...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings reveal substantial variation across Grand Valley State's academic portfolio, with technology and business programs driving the strongest financial returns. Artificial Intelligence leads at $83,360, followed by Business Administration at $70,536 and Banking and Financial Support Services at $66,308.
Health programs show mixed results, with Adult Health Nursing reaching $63,576 while Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences earn $54,508. Education and social service programs cluster in the $40,000-$45,000 range, reflecting typical outcomes for public service careers.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at Grand Valley State shows meaningful variation reflecting diverse program outcomes and career paths. Earnings span from $38,569 at the 25th percentile to $78,636 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.0:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
