FAU vs. GVSU

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Grand Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU 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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Florida Atlantic University vs. Grand Valley State University comparison
Florida Atlantic University Grand Valley State University College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Grand Valley State University
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Overview

 FAU GVSU
Location Boca Raton, FL Allendale, MI
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 29,592 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #738 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU GVSU
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $19,856
Room & Board $12,536 $10,140
Avg Net Price $9,711 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $10,334 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 93%

Admission

 FAU GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,268 17,123
Admitted 19,734 15,474
Acceptance Rate 81.3% 90.4%
Enrolled % 22.1% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 21/27
SAT Range 1020/1200 960/1210
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

 FAU GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 FAU GVSU
Graduation Rate 43% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $174 $258

Diversity

 FAU GVSU
% Men 42% 38%
% Women 58% 62%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 83%
% Black 20% 5%
% Hispanic 26% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 FAU GVSU
% In-State 72% 91%
% Out-of-State 22% 8%

Campus

 FAU 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

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than GVSU based on total student enrollment (29,592 students vs. 21,648 students)

FAU vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or GVSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 453.2% more expensive to attend than FAU for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $2,522.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.1% higher at GVSU than Florida Atlantic University ($19,856.00 vs. $14,374.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Atlantic University than GVSU ($9,711 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 23.6% lower than costs at Florida Atlantic University ($10,140 vs. $12,536)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Valley State University than Florida Atlantic University (93% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 17.3% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($10,334 vs. $8,811)

FAU vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 43 points higher than at FAU (1047)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at FAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at GVSU (3.65)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than FAU (81.3%)

FAU vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU 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 FAU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Florida Atlantic University (63% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn on average $1,600 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $44,600)
  • Florida Atlantic University students graduate with a $8,139 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($16,861 vs. $25,000)
  • FAU graduates are paying $84 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($174 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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