Clarke University vs. GVSU

Should I go to Clarke University or Grand Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarke University or GVSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clarke University vs. Grand Valley State University comparison
Clarke University Grand Valley State University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University
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Overview

Clarke University GVSU
Location Dubuque, IA Allendale, MI
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 965 21,648
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarke.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarke University GVSU
Tuition (In State) $36,900 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $36,900 $19,856
Room & Board $10,600 $10,140
Avg Net Price $27,275 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $25,403 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Clarke University GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,665 17,123
Admitted 2,260 15,474
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 90.4%
Enrolled % 8.5% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 21/27
SAT Range 920/1160 960/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Clarke University GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Clarke University GVSU
Graduation Rate 60% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,800 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

Clarke University GVSU
% Men 51% 38%
% Women 49% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 83%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Clarke University GVSU
% In-State 25% 91%
% Out-of-State 65% 8%

Campus

Clarke University GVSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Clarke University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 965 students)

Clarke University vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarke University or GVSU?

  • Clarke University is 164.5% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.8% higher at Clarke University than Grand Valley State University ($36,900.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Clarke University ($17,105 vs. $27,275)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 4.5% lower than costs at Clarke University ($10,140 vs. $10,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 188.3% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($25,403 vs. $8,811)

Clarke University vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarke University or GVSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GVSU or Clarke University .

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 45 points higher than at Clarke University (1045)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Clarke University (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Clarke University (3.36)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Clarke University (84.8%)

Clarke University vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarke University or GVSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between GVSU and Clarke University.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Clarke University (63% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Clarke University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,800)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarke University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Clarke University graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/