About Grand Valley State University

Founded in 1960, Grand Valley State University. is a Public college. Located in Michigan, which is a city setting in Michigan, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 22,209 full time undergraduate students, and 3,251 full time graduate students.

The Grand Valley State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 1131 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Grand Valley State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate81%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range940-1165
ACT Range21-26

Admissions at GVSU are considered Less Selective, with ,178% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 25 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

88% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 51% were in the top quarter, and 20% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Grand Valley State University.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
70%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
62%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
53%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
33%
“We bought the gear”
66%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
19%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
18%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
73%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
25%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
58%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
72%
“There might be people who do”
21%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
70%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
62%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
53%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
33%
“We bought the gear”
66%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
19%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
18%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
73%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
25%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
58%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
72%
“There might be people who do”
21%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    346 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    242 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    380 Students rated campus food 3.9 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    388 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    388 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    385 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    385 Students rated local services 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    388 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

Grand Valley State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Grand Valley State University?

133 Students rated Grand Valley State University

Gracie - 10/03/2024

Grand Valley State University's motto "Laker for a Lifetime," could not be more true. As a recent graduate, I felt prepared to enter the workforce and pursue my graduate education. There are so many resources available to you from Grand Valley even after graduation. The reason I believe the GVSU community is strong is because it provides a high-quality education, with two campuses, friendly and educated professors, and a family feel to it. For someone who has ADHD and chronic illnesses, school is hard for me but at Grand Valley, the DSR Resource Center and the professor boosted me up and helped me succeed. Although the student atmosphere is smaller there is enough diversity to find your people. I meet my best friends and Grand Valley has so many opportunities to have fun if you have the right attitude and are willing to put yourself out there. I suggest walking around off-campus housing loops because everyone is out and about at night especially in the warmer months. Grand Rapids is super close too and is full of bars, restaurants, fun museums, ART FAIR, lots of random cool events, big games, and concerts. I realized once I moved away from Allendale and Grand Rapids that I moved away from home. I truly miss Grand Valley State University so with tears I say Laker for Lifetime.

Kaylin - 04/29/2024

My opinion about Grand Valley is biased but a very positive one. I have wanted to go to Grand Valley since I decided what I wanted to be. Grand Valley has a very positive and safe environment inside and outside the classroom. There is never not an opportunity to socialize if one wishes too and there are many other events and gatherings where we can learn more about our peers. Academically Grand Valley has many majors to choose from. Overall Grand Valley is amazing to me in more ways than one and I can't wait to continue my education with them.

Lia - 07/11/2023

Grand Valley was a great college. The campus wasn't too large to where you felt like it was overwhelming but it was just big enough to give you the feel of going to a large college. The professors were great and the on campus resources were readily available.

Stephanie - 05/24/2023

As a first generation college student, Grand Valley State University made me feel welcomed. The campus is always active and the professors are very accessible outside of class. From my experience, they genuinely care about the students learning the material. There are very many diverse and inclusive groups, clubs, fraternity/sorority organizations, etc. I enjoy my time at Grand Valley State University.

Grand Valley State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Grand Valley State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Grand Valley State University is 81%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would have taken more AP classes so that my freshman course load would be easier. I also would have found a roommate to live with instead of "going in blind" in the dorms.

    Read all 348 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    If I had to pick a worst thing about my school, I would choose scholarship availability. A lot are focused on race, disability, and majors, but I come from a lower middle class background and am paying myself (through loans/financial aid, of course) and a broader range of scholarships would truly help.

    Read all 85 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    Classmates are all very different but all unique, some of them are very quite, some of them are more extravert, they say hi and smile at you trying to make friends, however, some of them are more likely to be introvert, they wanted their own space and liked their own worlds. But that's intersting to meet all kinds of different people.

    Read all 71 answers

  5. What's unique about your campus?

    Grand Valley offers a liberal arts education, meaning that you choose how and what you learn versus strict guidelines specific to your area of study found at most universities. All of Grand Valley's student services are free to all students, and will never cost anything as stated by the president.

    Read all 70 answers

  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Grand Valley is the smallest school I applied to. It has a beautiful, small, campus which makes walking from class to class an easy task. It is not a "party" school and it's occupants all seem to genuinely care about their education first and foremost. I wanted to attend a school where I knew I would put my education first, and I wanted to be sure that my surrounding peers were just as dedicated as I.

    Read all 68 answers

  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before coming to the school, I wish that I would have spent some time talking to an advisor about scheduling classes. The advisors are readily available, and if not available in person they quickly respond to emails. I was very much wrapped up in everything else about college that I did not take the time to talk to an advisor, as recommended, before scheduling my classes. Although my classes were very interesting my first semester, I could have been much wiser in choosing a class schedule that better fits my degree requirements.

    Read all 65 answers

  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Grand Valley offers opportunities for everyone while supporting a friendly and safe environment for learning.

    Read all 62 answers

  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Atheletics

    Read all 52 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    What i brag most about is all of the nice people i meet and the organizations that I am a part of. I also "brag" about the work i do in class and out side of class.

    Read all 49 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Anyone who wants a good education. I transferred here and feel that at Grand Valley you are challenged and receive an education on par with larger universities.

    Read all 47 answers

  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I dont think Grand Valley is a place for someone who wants to go to college nearly for the social scene. Although Grand Valley offers numerous social opportunities, its students are more conservative than many colleges and prefer to participate in campus sponsored events and acedemic betterment.

    Read all 47 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Classes in my program are scheduled poorly so they overlap, making it difficult to get into all the classes you need in order to graduate.

    Read all 42 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    As cliche as it ma sound, this school is perfect for me. The school is rapidly growing but is still the perfect size! At first I was unsure about campus being in its own circumference rather than intertwined with a city, but it makes for a better chance to meet people! I have never been to another campus as clean as Grand Valley, its a wonderful environment to be a part of. Also being close to the big city of Grand Rapids makes for a lot of fun weekends!

    Read all 13 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    It is definitely a sports-driven school, but there is a good blend of students and there are literally hundreds of other clubs to get involved in.

    Read all 9 answers

  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    Academics here are taken very seriously. If you are not willing to put in the time and go to class, you're going to fall behind! The biggest classes here are about 200 students and yet all of my professors have known everyone by name. I look at this as a huge advantage because it makes it so much easier to get help from your professor!

    Read all 9 answers

  17. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There are thousands of activities to choose from at Grand Valley. There are several clubs to join based on interest, which can vary from anywhere to Pre-Pharmaceuticals Club to Swing Dancing Club. There are also fraternities and sororities to join, and also many different sports. I recommend joining at least one club that ties into an academic interest that you have, even if you haven't officially declared your major yet.

    Read all 8 answers

  18. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That they are mostly athletic preps, who aren't super intelligent.

    Read all 3 answers

  19. Describe a typical weekend.

    There isn't much to do on weekends, at least for me. Usually I do homework, and then end up hanging out with friends or going downtown.

    Read all 3 answers

  20. Describe your school to someone who's never heard of it.

    It places a bit too much emphasis on athletics, and I wish it was more intellectually. It seems like they are actively making things better though. It's a liberal arts college with a wide variety of majors, minors, and classes. We have the main Allendale campus, as well as the Pew campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

    Read all 2 answers

  21. What's the dating scene like?

    Depends on who you are and who you like--there are a lot more girls than guys here. Personally, I haven't really had much luck finding a significant other. There are a lot of couples and some hooking up, but not a lot of actual dating. But hey, you never know, eh?

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

58%

female

42%

male

22,209

Total Undergrad Enrollment

3,251

Total Grad Students

8%

Out-Of-State

92%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

343

Student Organizations

14

Fraternities

14

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

23%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
5%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
82%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

86% of students attending Grand Valley State University receive some sort of financial aid. 30% were awarded federal grants. While 62% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,704

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$700

Books and Supplies

$9,000

Room and Board

26,404

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$11,247
$30 - $48K
$11,956
$48 - $75K
$15,506
$75 - $110K
$18,862
$110K & UP
$20,293

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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