Blackburn College vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or GVSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Blackburn College ($17,198 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 14.2% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($9,915 vs. $11,550).
• Blackburn College is 85.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $13,009 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Blackburn College than at Grand Valley State University (about $6,601 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 73.9% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($19,456 vs. $11,188).

Blackburn College vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or GVSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GVSU and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Valley State University (1070) is 60 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

Blackburn College vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and GVSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Grand Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.