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Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University is a public university in a town near a city with 19,243 students and a 83% acceptance rate.

Allendale, Michigan · Public · Town, near a city · 19,243 students

NCAA Division II · Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Admission rate

83%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,074

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

21–28

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$16,317

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

67%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

77%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$56,118

10 years after entry

Students

19,243

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadline
Rolling admission
The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full.		Rolling

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: gvsu.edu · checked September 30, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$12,272
$30,001–48,000$11,902
$48,001–75,000$12,861
$75,001–110,000$16,609
Over $110,000$22,534

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreGrand Valley State University courseCredits
Calculus AB3MTH 2014 (Mathematical Sciences)
Calculus BC3MTH 2014 (Mathematical Sciences)
Biology3BIO 1204 (Life Sciences with a lab)
Chemistry3CHM 1094 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Physics 13PHY general credit4 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
English Language and Composition3WRT 1504 (Writing)
English Literature and Composition3WRT 1504 (Writing)
Computer Science A3CIS 1624 credits
Show all 38 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus AB3MTH 2014 (Mathematical Sciences)
Calculus BC3MTH 2014 (Mathematical Sciences)
Calculus BC3MTH 201 & 2028 (Mathematical Sciences)
Biology3BIO 1204 (Life Sciences with a lab)
Biology4BIO 120 & 1218 (Life Sciences with a lab)
Chemistry3CHM 1094 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Chemistry4CHM 125 & 1264 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Chemistry5CHM 125, 126, & 1278 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Chemistry5
CHM 125, 126, & 127 plus 128 with review and…CHM 125, 126, & 127 plus 128 with review and approval of lab notebook^
9 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Physics 13PHY general credit4 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Physics 14PHY 2205 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
English Language and Composition3WRT 1504 (Writing)
English Literature and Composition3WRT 1504 (Writing)
Computer Science A3CIS 1624 credits
Macroeconomics3ECO 2023 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Microeconomics3ECO 2013 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Environmental Science3BIO 1053 (Life Sciences)
Physics 23PHY general credit4 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Physics 24PHY 2215 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
European History3HST 1023 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives)
Human Geography3GPY 2203 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Computer Science Principles3CIS 1013 (Mathematical Sciences)
Art History3ART 1013 (Arts)
2-D Art and Design3ART 1503 (Arts)
3-D Art and Design3ART 1513 (Arts)
8 (Physical Sciences with a lab)24 or 5 on all examsPHY 230 & 231
Africana Studies3AAA 2013 (Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences and Cultures - U.S. Diversity)
Business with Personal Finance3FIN 2213 credits
Chinese Language and Culture3CHI 101 & 1028 credits
Chinese Language and Culture4CHI 101, 102 & 20112 credits
Chinese Language and Culture5CHI 101, 102, 201, & 20216 (Global Perspective)
Comparative Government and Politics3PLS 1033 (Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Perspectives)
Cybersecurity3CIS 2583 credits
Drawing3ART 1553 (Arts)
English Literature and Composition and English Language and Composition3WRT 150 & ENG 1007 (Writing)
English Literature and Composition and English Language and Composition3WRT 150 & ENG 1057 (Writing and Philosophy & Literature)
French Language and Culture3FRE 101 & 1028 credits
French Language and Culture4FRE 101,102, & 20112 credits
French Language and Culture5FRE 101,102, 201, & 20215 (Global Perspectives)
German Language and Culture3GER 101 & 1028 credits
German Language and Culture4GER 101,102, & 20112 credits
German Language and Culture5GER 101,102, 201, & 20215 (Global Perspectives)
Government and Politics: U.S. Government3PLS 1023 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
History: U.S3HST 1033 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity)
History: U.S4HST 205 & 2066 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity)
Italian Language and Culture3ITA 101 & 1028 credits
Italian Language and Culture4ITA 101, 102, & 20112 credits
Italian Language and Culture5ITA 101, 102, 201, & 20215 (Global Perspective)
Japanese Language and Culture3JPN 101 & 1028 credits
Japanese Language and Culture4JPN 101, 102, & 20112 credits
Japanese Language and Culture5JPN 101, 102, 201, & 20216 (Global Perspective)
Latin3Latin general credit3 credits
Latin4LAT 2014 credits
Music: Theory3MUS 1303 (Arts)
Physics 1 and 21Physics 2 score of 4 or 5PHY 220 & PHY 221
Physics 1 and 23PHY general credit5 (Physical Sciences with a lab)
Precalculus3MTH 1245 (Foundations - Mathematical Sciences)
Research3IDS 1803 credits
Seminar3IDS 1803 credits

Source: gvsu.edu · checked September 19, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Psychology278
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse249
Marketing/Marketing Management243
Finance174
Exercise Science and Kinesiology173
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other169
Biomedical Sciences145
Accounting121
Show the other 81 majors
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration100
Computer Teacher Education98
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication98
Management Science97
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management94
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies92
Computer and Information Sciences92
Social Work89
Business/Commerce78
English Language and Literature75
Speech Communication and Rhetoric69
Biology/Biological Sciences67
Neurobiology and Behavior61
Fine/Studio Arts61
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management59
Mechanical Engineering59
Mathematics58
Film/Cinema/Media Studies58
Communication Sciences and Disorders54
Political Science and Government54
Environmental Studies53
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician53
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration42
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management40
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy37
History37
Natural Resources/Conservation31
Social Sciences30
Writing30
Electrical and Electronics Engineering30
Music28
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs26
Wildlife Biology26
Legal Assistant/Paralegal24
Public Administration22
Information Science/Studies22
Information Technology22
Statistics21
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance20
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology20
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia19
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist18
Business/Managerial Economics18
Biochemistry17
Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator17
International Relations and Affairs17
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching16
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician16
Dietetic Technician16
Computer Engineering14
Health Communication13
Anthropology13
International Business/Trade/Commerce12
Chemistry11
Geology/Earth Science11
Sociology11
Dance11
Biological and Physical Sciences10
Economics10
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies10
Operations Management and Supervision10
Manufacturing Engineering9
Geography8
Philosophy8
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering8
Spanish Language and Literature6
International/Globalization Studies6
Art Teacher Education5
Women's Studies4
Physics4
Art History, Criticism and Conservation4
Photography4
Microbiology4
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts3
Broadcast Journalism3
Engineering3
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3
Geochemistry2
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management2
Earth Science Teacher Education1
French Language and Literature1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division II, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division II, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball, Wrestling

ROTC

Army

Faith groups

Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection

Also

Honors college, Study abroad

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), instagram.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

Town, near a city

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

1,178,826 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

Yes

More about the place

Nearest airport

Gerald R Ford International (GRR)

Nearest hub airport

General Mitchell International (MKE)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 12.3 of 20

Elevation

709 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

17°F

July high

82°F

Annual snowfall

74.9 in

Days at 90°F or higher

9 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,490 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, town campus, NCAA Division II, similar size